CAF agrees Umbro and TikTok deals in time for AFCON kick off
January 6 – On the eve of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has partnered with sportswear giant Umbro in a multi-year deal.
Author: Paul Nicholson
With nations battling covid outbreaks, CAF cuts stadium capacities ahead of AFCON kick-off
January 6 – After consultation between the Cameroonian government and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), attendances at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations will be capped at 60-80% of stadium capacity. The tournament kicks off on Sunday.
Liverpool close training ground as high covid count forces Carabao Cup semi off
January 6 – Liverpool’s League Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal on Thursday has been postponed because of a “severe outbreak of Covid” at the Anfield club.
KMSK Deinze sale to Singapore fund continues foreign owner buy outs of Belgian clubs
January 6 – Singapore-based investment fund ACA Football Partners has taken ownership control of KMSK Deinze, the Belgian second-division club has announced.
Man City to launch sustainability campaign with new renewable energy partner Masdar
January 6 – The club fuelled by petro-chemical wealth has a new energy partner. Abu Dhabi renewableenergy company Masdar has become an Official Partner of Manchester City with the first activation being the support of a global sustainability campaign ahead of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week starting January 15.
Saints valued at £250m+ as Sports Republic takes first big step to building global empire
By Paul Nicholson
January 5 – Premier League Southampton have a new majority owner with Sport Republic acquiring the 80% shareholding held by Chinese investor Jisheng Gao.
AFC pushes ahead with expanded Women’s Asian Cup India 2022
By Paul Nicholson
January 5 – Fears that the Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 could be postponed have been allayed by the AFC who are confident in the security of their coronavirus bubbles around teams and officials.
No vax no pay: Capello promotes hardline for ‘selfish’ anti-vax players
January 5 – Former England manager Fabio Capello says players who refuse to receive the coronavirus vaccine should have their salaries cut.
Covid and AFCON-depleted Liverpool ask EFL to postpone Carabao Cup vs Arsenal
January 5 – Liverpool have made a formal request to postpone Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal after being hit by yet more Covid-19 cases.
For Gambia, the biggest challenge of AFCON is arriving with a full and healthy squad
By Samindra Kunti
January 5 – Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet sighs at all the adversity. His Scorpions will participate for the first time in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, but in an interview with Insideworldfootball, he explains how the debutants’ preparations have been derailed by Covid-19 infections, cancelled friendlies, injuries and the late release of European-based players.
BT Sport pick up last minute rights to Saudi-hosted Spanish Super Cup
January 5 – BT Sport will exclusively broadcast the Spanish Super Cup, which Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao will compete for in Saudi Arabia this month.
Lamela, Schick and Taremi strikes shortlisted for Puskas goal of the year award
January 5 – Erik Lamela’s remarkable rabona for Tottenham Hotspur in last season’s north London derby against Arsenal, Patrik Schick’s long-distance screamer at the Euros and Mehdi Taremi’s overhead kick against Chelsea have been nominated for FIFA’s annual Puskas award for the best goal of 2021.
Eriksen says he is ready to return to playing, for club and country
January 5 – Danish international Christian Eriksen has said he wants to represent his country at the World Cup. The midfielder hasn’t played since his cardiac arrest against Finland in the European Championships last June.
Infantino says biennial World Cup idea works, and so could a biennial Euros
January 4 – Having spent months extolling the virtues of a biennial World Cup, met with fierce resistance by UEFA and sceptics everywhere, Gianni Infantino is now suggesting the Euros could go the same way.
India suspends I-League as covid-bubble bursts
January 4 – India’s second-tier I-League has been suspended for six weeks at least, after a new coronavirus outbreak among some teams.