St Louis’ CityPark stadium wins global design award
December 4 – CityPark stadium, the home of Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City, has been awarded the 2024 Prix Versailles World Title in the sports venues category.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Fernando Simões ousts controversial Artur Almeida e Silva as Angola FA president
December 4 – Fernando Simões has succeeded Artur Almeida e Silva as the boss of Angolan football after winning the presidential elections at the Angolan Football Federation (FAF).
FIFA hits Bank of America cashpoint for CWC sponsorship
December 4 – With the Club World Cup 2025 group draw taking place in Miami this Thursday, FIFA has announced Bank of America as a Club World Cup 2025 sponsor. The bank opened its account with FIFA in August becoming a 2026 World Cup partner.
LaLiga goes in-house with Saudi Pro League in Riyadh
December 4 – The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has inaugurated a dedicated workspace for LaLiga within its Riyadh headquarters. This initiative marks another step in the SPL’s strategy to forge international partnerships and drive up their place in the sport.
Romania to appeal UEFA fine over abandoned Kosovo game at CAS
December 4 – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has announced that it will appeal UEFA’s sanctions following incidents during the Nations League match between Romania and Kosovo in Bucharest on November 15.
UEFA draw groups of U21 finals. Holders England face Germany, Spain drawn with Italy
December 4 – The groups for the upcoming UEFA U21 European Championships, to be played in Slovakia 11-28 June 2025, have been decided following the draw ceremony in Bratislava on Tuesday.
New York City FC breaks ground on $780m Etihad Park
December 4 – Later today New York City FC will break ground on Etihad Park, its new 25,000 capacity stadium in Willets Point, Queens, that will be completed in time for the start of the 2027 season.
Brentford focussed on improved scouting data with renewed Eyeball.Club deal
December 4 – Premier League Brentford have renewed their collaboration with talent scouting digital platform Eyeball.Club that will see the Bees integrate Eyeball.Club’s software into their talent identification systems, complementing their traditional scouting methods which have proved to be successful since breaking into the Premier League in 2021.
Qataris stay focussed on delivering FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup
December 4 – While Club World Cup focus has been on FIFA’s draw this week for the 2025 group stages, Qatari organisers have been methodically preparing for the hosting of the final stages of FIFA’s old version of the Club World Cup, renamed as the Intercontinental Cup that kicks off December 11.
Burning up: FIFA scores stunning hat-trick of deceptive reports with 2022 sustainability account
December 3 – In the 2022 World Cup sustainability report, FIFA claims that the tournament in Qatar produced 3.8 megatons of CO2, but critics argue the tournament was one of the most polluting ever.
USSF prices top coaches out the game with world leading costs for courses
December 3 – It has been said that one of the biggest problems concerning player development in the United States is the lack of quality coaches. From mom and pop volunteers, to various forms of unqualified enthusiasts, the tactical, technical, physical, and mental side of football are given short thrift in search of easy wins, and a quick buck.
IFAB agrees expansion of FVS trial that allows coaches to challenge VAR decisions
December 3 – Coaches could soon have the opportunity to contest refereeing decisions as FIFA mulls over a revamp of VAR.
Messi and Ronaldo make final nominees list for Fifpro world team of the year
December 3 – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be in the twilight of their careers and no longer with top European teams but it seems their peers still have huge respect for them both.
Lamine Yamal’s Real Madrid abusers handed stadium bans and fines
December 3 – Four fans accused of racially insulting forward Lamine Yamal and other Barcelona players during last month’s league ‘clasico’ at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium are set to be banned from Spanish stadiums for a year.
Chris Coleman takes over at Belgium’s OH Leuven
December 3 – Chris Coleman has been named the new manager of OH Leuven following the departure of Oscar Garcia.