Kolkata take second ISL title after penalty shoot-out
By Samindra Kunti
December 21 – Atletico de Kolkata have won their second Indian Super League title after defeating Kerala Blasters in the final in a penalty shout-out.
Author: Paul Nicholson
FIFA lose the Poppy plot. Time for them to have some ‘respect’ rehab?
By Andrew Warshaw
December 19 – The reaction has been understandably incredulous. In a disgraceful move that hardly enhances its attempt to turn over a new leaf and become a respectful, compassionate, modern-thinking organisation, FIFA have once again shown their true colours by predictably fining all four British home nations for their various poppy displays at last month’s World Cup qualifiers on or around Armistice Day.
Hammers in a bubble of their own as they top attendance table for second week
December 20 – West Ham’s Christmas came early, topping the attendance capacity chart twice during the Premier League’s three fixtures in eight days, and taking seven points out of a possible nine in the league.
CONCACAF thinks bigger and expands venues for 2017 Gold Cup in US
By Paul Nicholson
December 20 – The Gold Cup 2017, CONCACAF’s top event for national teams, will be played in a total of 14 stadiums in 13 metropolitan areas, four of them first-time hosts, as the confederation expands the competition to support emerging football markets in the US.
Former CONCACAF bigwigs Hawit and Callejas given life bans
By Andrew Warshaw
December 20 – Three months after disgraced former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb – not so long ago touted as a possible successor to Sepp Blatter – was banned for life, two more once all-powerful officials of the same confederation have suffered the same fate with Hondurans Alfredo Hawit (pictured) and Rafael Callejas thrown out of the game by FIFA’s ethics committee for taking bribes as part of the US-led football corruption scandal.
FIFA halts grant money as Nigerian minister calls for audit over ‘missing’ $802K
December 20 – Nigeria’s sports minister has called for a “reputable audit” of the national FA, constantly embroiled in financial troubles, over claims of irregularities in the use of FIFA grants.
Ismaik pledges €50m to 1860 Munich bid to return to Bundesliga’s top tier
December 20 – Bayern may dominate Munich and Germany, but they are facing challenges. RB Leipzig, backed by Red Bull cash, is now a realistic challenger at the top of the Bundesliga, while locally 1860 Munich are showing signs re-emerging from the shadows thanks to the deep pockets of Jordanian investor Hasan Ismaik.
Kit change pushes Chelsea’s high flyers to £70 million loss
By David Owen
December 19 – The short-term impact of the early termination of Chelsea’s kit deal with Adidas has been made apparent, with the West London club announcing a big net loss of £70.6 million for the year to 30 June 2016.
Ronaldo’s genius wins Club World Cup for Real, as Asia racks up another milestone
By Paul Nicholson
December 16 – It took a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo to wake up the European football ‘world’ to FIFA’s often unloved Club World Cup in that region. The significant story of this competition, however, is perhaps not Real Madrid’s extra time win but that the European Champions were pushed by another team from Asia making a mark in world football.
French revolution: Ligue 1 boss Quillot says the LFP is growing its competitiveness
By Samindra Kunti
December 19 – Didier Quillot is the executive director of the LFP, the body presiding over professional French football. In an exclusive interview with Insideworldfootball Quillot addressed the challenges Ligue 1 faces.
Zimbabwe’s Chiyangwa wins at COSAFA saying CAF is next, then FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
December 19 – Danny Jordaan, the public face of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and head of the country’s national association (SAFA) has missed out on the same role with the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) after withdrawing from presidential elections before a vote was cast.
Suspended Niersbach resigns seats at FIFA and UEFA top tables
By Andrew Warshaw
December 19 – Former German football supremo Wolfgang Niersbach has conceded defeat by agreeing to step down from his senior posts at FIFA and UEFA after failing to win his appeal against his one-year ban.
Infantino backs video ref saying history has been made and errors will be ironed out
December 19 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino still hopes to see video technology used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia if teething problems can be ironed out in time.
Samoura blunder leaves Sierra Leone focusing on regional first steps
December 19 – When FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura (pictured right) visited Sierra Leone last month on a working trip that was partly to mediate in the ongoing dispute between the national association and the government over the way football there is run, she somewhat surprisingly suggested that the country bid for the under-17 women’s World Cup.
World Cup TV corruption puts Televisa affiliate in the frame
December 19 – Court papers filed by prosecutors in the US allege that an affiliate of a major broadcasting company in Latin America paid millions of dollars in bribes to obtain the rights for the next four World Cup tournaments in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.