Valcke gives evidence to French prosecutors over award of 2022 World Cup to Qatar
January 14 – Former FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke has been questioned by French authorities over the award to Qatar of the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA
Lukaku is biggest 2021 transfer in a market that has dropped $2.49bn from 2019
January 14 – The global transfer market is still reeling from the impact of Covid-19, shrinking to $4.86 billion in 2021, down 13.6% from the $5.63 billion spend in 2020, FIFA’s Global Transfer Report has found.
Swiss prosecutors keep spotlight on Al-Khelaifi and Valcke over alleged World Cup TV deal
January 11 – Almost a year after launching an appeal, Swiss prosecutors have a second chance to win their case against beIN Sport supremo and Paris St Germain boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi over the allocation of World Cup TV rights.
FIFA’s Best: Messi makes final three with Lewandowski and Salah
January 10 – In keeping with tradition, Lionel Messi is once again nominated in the final three of The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards. FIFA will probably keep nominating him when he retires.
Guardiola vs Tuchel vs Mancini for FIFA coach of the year award
January 10 – Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and Italy manager Roberto Mancini are on the shortlist for FIFA’s best men’s coach of the year with the winner to be announced on January 17.
Sun, sand and affordable football. Club World Cup in UAE looks good for a winter break
January 7 – FIFA’s ticket sales process for the Club World Cup UAE 2021, has gone from an exclusive pre-sale window that ended today, to a last-minute ticket window opening today.
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.
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.
Priced to sell: Watch Chelsea at the Club World Cup finals in a Cat1 seat for $50
January 4 – Tickets for the Club World Cup in the UAE that kicks off 3 February have gone on-sale in an exclusive pre-sale six-day window with prices starting as low as $5.
Belgium and US top men’s and women’s year end rankings. Europe dominates top 10
December 23 – Belgium will be top of the men’s FIFA rankings for a fourth successive Christmas and New Year, while the US women remain top of their rankings, a position they have held since 2017.
My ball, my game, my money: Infantino and Wenger set unwavering path to biennial World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
December 21 – The entire narrative of a biennial World Cup, thought to have been irrevocably stalled because of widespread opposition, has been catapulted back into the limelight with FIFA president Gianni Infantino claiming it would “benefit everyone without harming anyone”.
VISA carded for FIFA Women’s football sponsorship
December 21 – FIFA has announced VISA as its first Global Women’s Football Partner under its newly launched commercial partnership structure that has separated the mens and women’s commercial sales sponsor offers and which comes into effect in 2023.
Arab Cup: Algeria beat Tunisia to complete successful Qatar 2022 test
By Samindra Kunti in Al Khor, Qatar
December 20 – In an all-North African final, Algeria defeated Tunisia 2-0 with extra-time goals from Amir Sayoud and Yacine Brahimi to claim their first Arab Cup, a tournament that served as a dress rehearsal for World Cup hosts Qatar.
Report says biennial WC would kill €2.5bn+ of European revenue. FIFA says its for the fans
By Paul Nicholson
December 17 – Ahead of FIFA’s much vaunted Global Summit on the Future of Football – that will focus on the international calendar and in particular FIFA’s proposal for a biennial World Cup – a report has been released that predicts if FIFA’s proposals were implemented, Europe’s federations would lose revenues of €2.5 – 3 billion over a four-year cycle.
Swiss confirm two new special prosecutors to restart Infantino criminal investigation
By Paul Nicholson
December 16 – The Swiss Federal Assembly has confirmed the appointment of two senior magistrates to continue the criminal investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his dealings with former Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber.