Eight candidates cleared to battle for the US Soccer presidency
December 14 – Eight candidates have been cleared to run for the presidency of the US soccer federation (USSF) to succeed Sunil Gulati at elections on February 10.
Author: Paul Nicholson
CAF realigns club competition calendar to match national competition schedules
December 14 – Insisting it has not made the decision to fall into line with Europe, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that its club tournaments will run between September or October and May from 2019.
Shock horror, Welsh not wild about English. And footballs are still round
By Andrew Warshaw
December 14 – The Football Association of Wales (FAW) faces accusations of hypocrisy over reportedly opening disciplinary action against its chief executive Jonathan Ford for saying the next Wales manager could be “foreign”, but “definitely not English”.
Crowds dip West Ham’s bubble keeps on rising as Spurs hit season low
December 14 – The Premier League’s mid-week fixtures showed a small dip in attendances across the league from the weekend, and a big drop for Spurs who filled only 51.6% of Wembley’s capacity.
Man City scores first with Facebook Messenger striker game
December 14 – Manchester City has launched a Manchester City Football Striker instant game on the Facebook Messenger platform, the first Premier League club to embrace the gaming opportunity of the Messenger platform.
Proof of FIFA Ethics boss Rojas’ links to Bedoya casts more dark shadows on governing body
By Paul Nicholson
December 13 – The integrity of FIFA Ethics head of its investigation unit, Colombian María Claudia Rojas (pictured), has fallen again into the spotlight with proof emerging that despite previous denials, she did have a close relationship with former president of the Colombian Football Federation, Luis Bedoya, who has pleaded guilty in the US FIFAgate case and is currently awaiting sentencing.
South beat North in Korean showdown in Tokyo at East Asian championship
By Andrew Warshaw
December 13 – Forget Manchester United versus Manchester City or Real Madrid against Barcelona. It may not have made international football headlines but arguably the world’s biggest grudge match took place on Tuesday when hostile political neighbours South and North Korea played each other in the East Asian championship.
FIFA keeps Johansen in charge at Sierra Leone FA despite civil court corruption case
December 13 – The bitter in-fighting over who runs Sierra Leone football, and the future of the federation president Isha Johansen appears to have died down following pressure from FIFA to allow her to carry on even though her mandate officially expired in August.
Zidane doesn’t want any cards for Christmas as Real face Al Jazira at Club World Cup
December 13 – Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is praying that none of his players pick up red and yellow cards in the FIFA Club World Cup.
IMG on hunt for joint lead sponsor for NI, Scotland and Wales FAs
December 13 – Sports rights agency IMG has been given the job of finding a headline sponsor partner for the home nation associations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
FIFA-gate: Trial of Marin, Bapout and Burga set for closing arguments
December 13 – Closing statements are set to take place in the New York trial of three former South American bosses charged in the corruption scandal engulfing FIFA.
Nigeria sanctioned for illegible player in 2018 qualifier vs Algeria, but still on road to Russia
December 13 – FIFA has annulled Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Algeria in a World Cup qualifier last month and fined the Nigeria Football Federation CHF 6,000 for fielding an ineligible player.
LaLiga adds telecom giant Irancell to regional partner roster
December 13 – LaLiga has added Iranian telecommunications company Irancell as a new regional partner. Irancell has more than 230 million customers in 22 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Chinese web giant NetEase returns to football with French deal for Russia 2018 World Cup
December 12 – The French Football Federation (FFF), has inked a content agreement with Chinese media company NetEase Media Technology.
Crying over spilt milk. FA step in to investigate Manchester ‘Milkgate’ fracas
December 12 – The English Football Association have launched an investigation into the post-match incidents that marred last Sunday’s hotly anticipated Manchester derby when City ended United’s unbeaten 40-game home run and in the process set a Premier League record of 14 straight wins.