December 10 – Napoli have knocked Leicester City out of the Europa League with a 3-2 victory in an end-to-end match and will join Barcelona among others in the knockout phase of the competition.
December 10 – There is still big money in youth development despite an overall stagnation in the transfer market. A new transfer value analysis of the Big 5 leagues says there are 15 players under the age of 23 who could command a transfer fee of €100 million or more.
December 10 – The US women remain top of FIFA’s rankings, a position they have held since 2017. They are followed by Sweden and Germany.
December 10 – Sports integrity group SIGA has opened applications for its 2022 women’s global mentorship programme, aimed at promoting future leaders in sport and fostering greater gender equality in the boardroom.
By Paul Nicholson
December 9 – Two days before LaLiga’s clubs are scheduled to vote on the Impulso Project which will see CVC inject almost €2 billion into the league, the Spanish FA (RFEF) and its president Luis Rubiales have issued a statement against the fund raising and questioning its legality under Spanish law.
December 9 – Rennes have reacted angrily to UEFA’s decision to allow Tottenham Hotspur to call off tonight’s European Conference League fixture against their French opponents because of an outbreak of Covid-19.
December 9 – Colombia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Seychelles and Thailand have all expressed an interest in hosting the 2023 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
December 9 – French top-flight side Lyon have been docked one point after their home game last month against Marseille was abandoned when the visitors’ Dimitri Payet was hit on the head by a bottle.
December 9 – Real Madrid has agreed a €225 million loan extension to complete the Santiago Bernabéu remodelling. The club said the loan was required work “not forseen” in the initial plans.
December 9 – For the first time in 18 years Barcelona have been eliminated from the Champions League before the knockout stage after being humbled 3-0 by Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
December 9 – Socios.com are racking up the crypto air miles. Having yesterday announced Brazil’s Palmeiras as joining their Fan Token universe, today they are in Europe unveiling Crystal Palace as the sixth Premier League team to sign up.
December 9 – Technical director Marc Overmars has extended his contract at Ajax Amsterdam until 2026. He has held the role since 2012.
December 9 – Brazilian legend Pele is back in hospital, for follow-up for treatment for a colon tumour.
December 8 – The Confederation of African Football has dismissed rumours that next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) could be moved away from Cameroon following the recent discovery of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
December 8 – Fan-led review chair Tracey Crouch MP has responded to criticism, arguing that an independent regulator will help grow the English game.