December 9 – French top-flight side Lyon have been docked one point after their home game last month against Marseille was abandoned when the visitors’ Dimitri Payet was hit on the head by a bottle.
December 9 – For the first time in 18 years Barcelona have been eliminated from the Champions League before the knockout stage after being humbled 3-0 by Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
December 9 – Socios.com are racking up the crypto air miles. Having yesterday announced Brazil’s Palmeiras as joining their Fan Token universe, today they are in Europe unveiling Crystal Palace as the sixth Premier League team to sign up.
December 9 – Technical director Marc Overmars has extended his contract at Ajax Amsterdam until 2026. He has held the role since 2012.
December 9 – Brazilian legend Pele is back in hospital, for follow-up for treatment for a colon tumour.
December 8 – The Confederation of African Football has dismissed rumours that next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) could be moved away from Cameroon following the recent discovery of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
December 8 – Fan-led review chair Tracey Crouch MP has responded to criticism, arguing that an independent regulator will help grow the English game.
December 8 – Major League Soccer has unveiled plans for the debut of its third tier league, MLS Next Pro, that will start play in 2022 with 21 clubs.
December 8 – AC Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis has defended a controversial plan to demolish the iconic San Siro and replace it with a €690 million stadium to ensure the club’s future.
December 8 – FIFA has rebranded its museum with a new name and new look, dropping the ‘world’ from its title to now become ‘FIFA Museum’. The change is subtle but it reflects the current administration’s change of attitude and policy towards its heritage project.
December 8 – Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras have become the fifth Brazilian club to commit to launching an official Fan Token – $VERDAO – on the Socios.com app.
December 7 – The San Francisco 49ers American Football team reportedly have “a deal in place” to buy English Premier League club Leeds United.
December 7 – The president of Italian top-flight side Sampdoria is stepping down with immediate effect after being arrested for alleged involvement in fraudulent bankruptcy cases.
December 7 – Norwegian top-flight club Tromsø have produced an innovative team shirt featuring a QR code that puts the spotlight on human rights issues in Qatar with just under a year until the World Cup.
By Samindra Kunti
December 7 – Belgian football has banned away fans until the end of the year following a weekend of disorder across grounds, with incidents at Standard Liege and in the Antwerp derby.