KMSK Deinze sale to Singapore fund continues foreign owner buy outs of Belgian clubs
January 6 – Singapore-based investment fund ACA Football Partners has taken ownership control of KMSK Deinze, the Belgian second-division club has announced.
News
Man City to launch sustainability campaign with new renewable energy partner Masdar
January 6 – The club fuelled by petro-chemical wealth has a new energy partner. Abu Dhabi renewableenergy company Masdar has become an Official Partner of Manchester City with the first activation being the support of a global sustainability campaign ahead of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week starting January 15.
Saints valued at £250m+ as Sports Republic takes first big step to building global empire
By Paul Nicholson
January 5 – Premier League Southampton have a new majority owner with Sport Republic acquiring the 80% shareholding held by Chinese investor Jisheng Gao.
For Gambia, the biggest challenge of AFCON is arriving with a full and healthy squad
By Samindra Kunti
January 5 – Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet sighs at all the adversity. His Scorpions will participate for the first time in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, but in an interview with Insideworldfootball, he explains how the debutants’ preparations have been derailed by Covid-19 infections, cancelled friendlies, injuries and the late release of European-based players.
BT Sport pick up last minute rights to Saudi-hosted Spanish Super Cup
January 5 – BT Sport will exclusively broadcast the Spanish Super Cup, which Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao will compete for in Saudi Arabia this month.
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.
Eriksen says he is ready to return to playing, for club and country
January 5 – Danish international Christian Eriksen has said he wants to represent his country at the World Cup. The midfielder hasn’t played since his cardiac arrest against Finland in the European Championships last June.
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.
Chelsea debut safe-standing trial in Premier League against Liverpool
January 4 – In a landmark move, Chelsea became the first Premier League side to host a safe-standing pilot scheme in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool, marking the end of a blanket ban on standing in the top two tiers of English football which has been in place for more than 25 years.
Garber looks forward to record MLS season as wunderkind Pepi heads for Bundesliga
January 4 – In a New Year message to MLS fans, commissioner Don Garber has emphasised how the league’s clubs have grown to become “essential members of our communities” and the passion US fans are showing for players and clubs.
Last minute sale keeps Salernitana in Serie A
January 4 – Salernitana, dubbed in Italy as the club that wished it had never got promoted to Serie A, have been saved from being kicked out after acquiring a new owner at the 11th hour.
Auckland City record ‘disappointing’ Club World Cup double
January 4 – Auckland City officials say they are “bitterly disappointed’’ at having to pull out of Club World Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates for a second successive year over Covid-19 quarantine issues.
A palace fit for Man City
January 4 – Manchester City has agreed a sponsorship with the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to become the Club’s Official Luxury Hotel Partner.
Mallorca plan €20m stadium upgrade
January 4 – Mallorca are to upgrade their Son Moix stadium at a cost of €20 million, the La Liga club has announced.
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.