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.
Author: Paul Nicholson
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.
‘Friends in high places?’ New York judge questions why FIFA has not banned Del Nero
December 12 – The judge in the FIFAGate trial in New York has deepened the intrigue over why current Brazilian football boss Marco del Nero is still at large even though he is one of those indicted, suggesting he might have “friends in high places”.
Real Madrid set sights on Club World Cup final and either Gremio or Pachuca
By Samindra Kunti
December 12 – Real Madrid will seek to defend their Club World Cup title this week in a bid to revive their season. Gremio from Brazil and Pachuca from Mexico look to be their biggest challengers in the tournament that kicked off in the United Arab Emirates last Wednesday.
Pieth adds to criticism of Infantino’s ethically-challenged new FIFA
December 12 – FIFA’s original governance guru has come out of the shadows to describe the organisation under Gianni Infantino as a laughing stock that has actually gone backwards from the days of Sepp Blatter when it comes to meaningful reform.
High flying Burnley cap Turf Moor ground development at £20m spend
December 12 – Premier League Burnley have said that there will be no further ground developments to increase the capacity of Turf Moor until there is a greater demand for seats.
Inter issue €300m bond to cover debt and increase working capital
December 12 – Inter Milan have launched a bond issue to raise €300 million to satisfy a loan taken out by former majority owner, Indonesian Erick Thohir. The bond will mature in 2022.
Man City dominate top 10 players lists; Aguero and Otamendi top their positions
December 12 – The CIES Football Observatory has ranked the top 10 performers in the Big 5 European leagues so far this season in eight positions. Four leagues have players filling top positions, only the Bundesliga fails to have a position leader.
Toon top Hammers in attendance table for round 16, as PL passes 6 million
December 12 – Premier League fixtures are coming thick and fast in the run-up to and through Christmas. Last week’s round 16 fixtures are followed by another round of mid-week fixtures starting tonight. December will see seven rounds of Premier League fixtures completed.
Spurs launch 360 degree video experience of White Hart Lane on web
December 12 – Spurs fans nostalgic for their old White Hart Lane stadium can now revisit the stadium via a 360 degree video on the web titled ‘The Lane 360’. It is the first football club video of its kind celebrating the dismantled stadium and allowing users to immerse themselves in a journey through the old ground, including watching archive footage.