Italian women’s Serie A fast tracked to professionalism with lifting of salary cap
December 16 – A new law in Italy, removing the current salary cap, will allow women players at Serie A Femminile clubs to be paid as full time professionals.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Konami adds RCD Mallorca to PES club partners with graphic boost
December 16 – Japanese eFootball gamemaker Konami has added LaLiga’s RCD Mallorca to partner clubs. Mallorca will feature in the 2020 edition of the game.
Former FAI boss Delaney under scrutiny over his UEFA role and pay days
By Andrew Warshaw
December 13 – John Delaney, the flamboyant Irishman who strode European football’s corridors of power until being forced to resign as chief executive of his federation (FAI) in March, is still a member of UEFA’s inner circle despite the FAI being in financial meltdown.
US complete a year at the top as World Rankings reflect an upwardly mobile women’s game
December 13 – FIFA has released its final Women’s National Team world rankings for 2019 which show the USA ending the year as they began it at the top, following their impressive all-conquering unbeaten run to the France 2019 World Cup title.
Time for VAR to chill-out. Ceferin meets Brits to lobby for protocol changes
December 13 – The use of video assistant referees for marginal offside decisions, which has caused so much consternation throughout Europe, could be amended next season if a joint bid by UEFA and the British football associations succeeds.
First Vienna FC 1894 celebrate their 125th with a visit from an elderly relative from Sheffield
December 13 – Age is just a number but for a football club it can also mark a status that no-one else can achieve.
Digital primer: Seven League’s 7 trends and impact points for 2020
December 13 – Digital sport consultancy Seven League has released its 2020 Digital Trends for Sport report, and for anyone on the business side of sport grappling with their own digital strategy it is a focussing read.
Premier League turns to Masters to take full time CEO role
December 13 – The Premier League’s 18-month search for a new chief executive is finally over with Richard Masters, the man who has filled the role on an interim basis, given the job full-time.
More woe for Tanzania’s Malinzi as he is found guilty of forgery
December 13 – Disgraced former president of the Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) and one-time FIFA standing committee member, Jamal Malinzi (pictured), has been found guilty of document forgery in his homeland .
Relegation escapees Botafogo plan for a more commercial future
December 13 – Financially challenged Brazilian top tier club Botafogo, is to transition from an association to a corporate structure to professionalise operations. Debt at the Rio club has risen to more than €200 million.
Amazon to deliver more live football with Champions League package for Germany
December 13 – Online retail and delivery business turned entertainment streaming giant Amazon has taken another step into the live football rights market securing the rights to show selected Champions League matches in Germany.
Former CAF 1st VP Patel opens up on a leadership that has ‘shamed’ Africa
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 12 – As CAF’s first Vice-President for seven years (2011-2017) and the Chairman of its Finance Committee, Suketu Patel was regarded as the financial brain-box of the African football governing body, during the latter stages of Cameroonian Issa Hayatou’s 29-year presidency.
FIFA may sue Blatter and Platini for the rogue CHF 2m consultancy payment made in 2011
December 12 – FIFA to launch legal action against former president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA president Michel Platini to recover the CHF 2 million paid to Platini in 2011 on Blatter’s authority, which led to long bans for both of them.
South Africa pull out, Aussie and Kiwis team up: Race for WWC 2023 hosting hots up
December 12 – South Africa have pulled out of the running to stage the 2023 Women’s World Cup saying they will not be submitting a bid book and other proposed hosting documentation by Friday’s deadlineThe South African FA has been on a collision course with Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa over the future of football in the country which would need government guarantees to stage the tournament.
Infantino scores twice at European Parliament on social issues and transfer reform
December 12 – FIFA and the European Parliament (EP) have not always sat cosily alongside each other with the EP having warned in the past that it would force regulation on football’s governing body across a host of commercial and social policy areas if it didn’t reform.