AFC readies for 20-team eAsian Cup kick off in Qatar
January 19 – The AFC has released more detail of the inaugural AFC eAsian Cup which will be played February 1-5 in Doha, running parallel to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Klinsmann forced to change keeper as Korea prepare for Jordan
January 19 – Jurgen Klinsmann and South Korea want to win the Asian Cup for goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, whose training-ground injury has ruled him out of the tournament.
LAFC adds Grasshopper Zurich to growing club collection
January 19 – MLS club LAFC has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Swiss club Grasshopper Zurich for an undisclosed fee.
Chung going again as AFC announces candidates for executive committee elections
January 19 – The Asian Football Confederation has announced the candidates for election to two executive committee posts that will be appointed at the confederation’s 34th Annual Congress in May in Bangkok, Thailand.
UEFA opens tender process for UWCL media and women’s football sponsorship rights
January 19 – UEFA has begun the tender process for media rights to the Women’s Champions League and Women’s Football sponsorship rights for the 2025-30 commercial cycle.
Dubai-based CFI Financial Group agrees AC Milan global partnership
January 19 – UAE-based online trading provider CFI Financial Group has agreed a global partnership with AC Milan, becoming the Italian Official Online Trading Partner.
Ratcliffe’s Man Utd buy-in was aided by Qatari failure to provide financial guarantees
January 18 – Details have emerged as to why Manchester United ended up opting for British investment instead of falling into Qatari hands.
Australia’s Arnold says being part of Asia’s growth has boosted performance levels
January 18 – Australia made the right call to leave Oceania and join the Asian Football confederation (AFC) in 2006 because of the superior level of opposition, says Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.
DAZN drops women’s football pay wall calling for stakeholders to unite around a ‘new deal’
January 18 – Streaming platform DAZN has dropped its pay wall for all women’s live football broadcasts for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
UAE cling on for point against Palestine on a night of passion in Doha
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 18 – Palestine drew 1-1 against ten-man United Arab Emirates to retain hopes of qualifying for the second round for the first time, but will be left to rue what could have been with striker Oday Dabbagh and the frontline not capitalising on a series of chances.
Klaveness says FIFA’s promised report on Qatar’s migrant work force is overdue
January 18 – The Norwegian football executive who rose to global acclaim when she got to her feet at the 2022 FIFA Congress to highlight the plight of migrant workers in Qatar, says she is still waiting for FIFA’s promised report into their treatment.
Cypriot players’ union demands protection for players after flare causes injury
January 18 – The Cypriot players’ union (PASP) has threatened to boycott matches in the country’s elite leagues unless authorities can guarantee the safety of players during matches.
Uzbekistan power past India with dominant first half display
January 18 – Group B hopefuls Uzbekistan were victorious over India in a match decided by a ferocious first-half display at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan.
AFCON fails to draw big crowds, but ticketing failure doesn’t help
January 16 – Fans trying to attend games at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast have been left frustrated even though matches have been played in half-empty stadiums.
Transfer talk: Kalvin Phillips soap opera rolls on, Chelsea add Broja to sales roster, Ramos could exit PSG
January 18 – As the Kalvin Phillips saga continues in Manchester, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have joined the race for the 28-year-old England international as the queue for the midfielder’s signature becomes increasingly bizarre.