Guatemala to host 2020 Concacaf Futsal finals with nations hunting World Cup slots
January 24 – Concacaf has named Guatemala as host for its 2020 Futsal Championship which will qualify four teams for the Futsal World Cup in Lithuania 2020.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Opposition to RFEF’s Rubiales mounts as Rajor emerges as possible challenger
January 24 – Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajor has emerged as a possible contender to challenge Luis Rubiales (pictured) for the presidency of the Spanish FA when Rubiales stands for re-election later this year.
Man City revamp OTT service under new CITY+ brand with increased content
January 24 – Manchester City has launched an new content service across its digital platforms. Branded CITY+, it is the described as the ‘evolution’ of the club’s OTT offering launched last July.
Warner’s extradition fate now lies in the hands of the UK’s Privy Council
January 23 – The will-they-won’t-they battle for extradition of former FIFA vice president and Concacaf president Jack Warner took another delaying step this week when Warner was given final approval to challenge the extradition proceedings against him at the Privy Council, the final appellate court in London.
Platini is back. Former UEFA boss takes advisory role with players’ union FIFPro
January 23 – Michel Platini is back. The Frenchman and former UEFA president returns to the global stage as the personal advisor of FIFPro president Philippe Piat after having served a four-year ban from the game for the unjustified collection of €1.8 million from Joseph Blatter.
Agents furious over FIFA plans to cap commissions and threaten legal action
By Samindra Kunti
January 23 – Leading agents, including Mino Raiola, Jorge Mendes and Jonathan Barnett, have threatened FIFA with legal action over proposals to cut fees to the representatives of players and clubs involved in transfers.
FIFA TMS records 5.1% jump in player sales to $7.35bn for 2019
January 23 – Football clubs worldwide splashed out a record $7.35 billion (€6.63 million) on transfers in the men’s game in 2019, according to the latest FIFA report.
Libya offered CHAN spot after Tunisia pull out with clubs refusing to release players
January 23 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has invited war-torn Libya to replace Tunisia in the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in Cameroon.
Red Bull gives you (money) wings, but Brøndby fans tell energy drink to fly off
January 23 – Energy drink giants Red Bull, which already owns clubs in Germany, Austria, the USA and Brazil, are now reportedly targeting Brøndby, one of Denmark’s biggest teams where there is fierce opposition to the move.
Real Madrid Next business incubator launches to push club performance across key areas
January 23 – The race by Europe’s clubs to establish a digital advantage and take ownership positions in potentially game-changing technologies has another new entrant.
UEFA opens tender process for VAR and GLT services
January 23 – UEFA is tendering for solutions to fulfil four key technology service areas for its competitions from 2021, including men’s and women’s club and national team competitions.
More CAF chaos as World Cup qualifier dates pushed back amid commercial uncertainty
January 22 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has carried out the draw for African 2022 World Cup qualifiers but at the same time announced that matches will now not start for another nine months. The big news from the draw itself is that either Cameroon or Ivory Coast will not qualify for the Qatar World Cup after the teams were paired together.
Spanish court hears Osasuna director Vizcay detail culture of match-fixing in LaLiga
January 22 – Top-flight Spanish club Osasuna rigged matches over two seasons in an attempt to avoid relegation, a court heard on Tuesday in the latest match-fixing revelations to strike at the heart of European football.
Saudi overcome Uzbeks to secure AFC U23 final place and berth to Japan 2020 Olympics
January 22 – Saudi Arabia have become the first Asian country to qualify for the Olympic football tournament, alongside hosts Japan, after defeating reigning champions Uzbekistan 1-0 in the semi-finals of the AFC U-23 Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
UAE steps in as secure host for Iranian clubs’ opening games in Asian Champions League
January 22 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed it is moving two Asian Champions League preliminary matches out of Iran to neutral venues because of security concerns, a move that has infuriated Iranian authorities.