Ratcliffe’s Man Utd buy-in was aided by Qatari failure to provide financial guarantees
January 18 – Details have emerged as to why Manchester United ended up opting for British investment instead of falling into Qatari hands.
News
DAZN drops women’s football pay wall calling for stakeholders to unite around a ‘new deal’
January 18 – Streaming platform DAZN has dropped its pay wall for all women’s live football broadcasts for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
Klaveness says FIFA’s promised report on Qatar’s migrant work force is overdue
January 18 – The Norwegian football executive who rose to global acclaim when she got to her feet at the 2022 FIFA Congress to highlight the plight of migrant workers in Qatar, says she is still waiting for FIFA’s promised report into their treatment.
Cypriot players’ union demands protection for players after flare causes injury
January 18 – The Cypriot players’ union (PASP) has threatened to boycott matches in the country’s elite leagues unless authorities can guarantee the safety of players during matches.
AFCON fails to draw big crowds, but ticketing failure doesn’t help
January 16 – Fans trying to attend games at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast have been left frustrated even though matches have been played in half-empty stadiums.
New report identifies ESG as key in sponsorship decision making, with AI looming
January 1 – Brands are continuing to make ESG (environmental, social, and governance) as the most important criteria in their sponsorship decisions, according to a new report.
Six tech start-ups picked to form first year of MLS Innovation Lab
January 18 – Major League Soccer has named six tech start-ups who will form the launch companies supported by the new MLS Innovation Lab.
Date set for Man City financial rule breach hearing
January 17 – A date has been set for European champions Manchester City’s hearing regarding 115 alleged rule breaches – but it’s being kept secret for the moment.
African Cup of Upsets sees Namibia rubbish the form book with Tunisia win
January 17 – In a tournament already producing a slew of upsets, Namibia pulled off the biggest so far when they beat Tunisia 1-0 for their first ever African Cup of Nations win.
Italian Supercoppa set for Saudi kick-off with Puma on hand to get the ball rolling
January 17 – With Saudi Arabia set to host Italy’s Supercoppa for the fourth time, Puma have unveiled a dedicated match ball designed specifically for 2024 edition.
Kay Bernstein, Herta Berlin ultra who became president, dies, aged 43
January 17 – Hertha Berlin president Kay Bernstein, a former supporter who surprisingly took over the presidency of the club in 2022, has died suddenly at the age of 43, the club said in a statement.
Bayern add Bitpanda as crypto partner
January 17 – FC Bayern Munich have agreed a multi-year partnership with Bitpanda which will see the financial technology company become the record German champions’ new Platinum Partner and official crypto trading partner for the first time.
Former baseball star slugger Jose Bautista looks to hit Las Vegas Lights FC out the park
January 17 – The Las Vegas football (soccer) market is heating up. The MLS are expected to announce a franchise in the city once an ownership group is formalised, third tier league NISA last week announced the admission of Las Vegas Legends, and this week Las Vegas Lights, playing in the second tier US Championship, have a new high profile owner.
Man City launch 10th football school project in Dyrrah, Albania
January 17 – Manchester City is adding another facility and player development centre to its academy business, this time in the Albanian city of Durres, to be called Dyrrah City Football Academy.
Soccerex back in Europe with Amsterdam date set for May
January 17 – Soccerex is on a roll. Having held its US event in November last year in Miami, in early January it announced an event for March in Rio de Janeiro and has now announced a new event in Amsterdam for May 30-31.