November 23 – FIFA has decided to ditch the two-legged format for the intercontinental playoffs in favour of single games at neutral venues in the race to secure the final spots at next year’s World Cup.
November 23 – FIFA have named their annual nominees for player of the year and it’s no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are once again in the running for the men’s award despite having a combined age of 70.
November 23 – Paris Saint-Germain and American Express have extended their sponsorship deal until 2024 with the payment services giant also backing the Ligue 1 club’s esports team.
November 23 – Italian train operator Trenitalia has signed a deal with Lega Serie A for the naming rights for the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – With global scrutiny of Qatar’s human rights record showing little respite, the public face of the 2022 World Cup, Hassan Al-Thawadi, says he hopes the tournament will help “wash away” stereotypical attitudes towards the country.
November 22 – The Europe-wide protests against new Covid restrictions have spilled over into football with Bayern Munich reportedly having informed their unvaccinated players that they will have their salaries cut during periods when they have to go into quarantine.
November 22 – Despite the usual pre-tournament noise, all systems are go for Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations. It has been a tournament that has been wobbling on the brink.
November 22 – Despite attempts by French football authorities to crack down on fan violence, yet another damaging incident hit the country’s top-flight league on Sunday when the Lyon-Marseille fixture was abandoned after Marseille forward Dimitri Payet was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands a few minutes after kick off.
November 22 – Qatar has completed the build of Stadium 974, the latest of its 2022 World Cup stadia to be declared tournament ready.
November 22 – The fast expanding but loosely regulated cryptocurrency business which has seen blockchain-based firms surge into the football partnership and sponsorship market has taken a major reputational hit with both Barcelona and Manchester City ending deals.
November 22 – Even managers with legendary status are not immune from being sacked when they fail to progress or deliver silverware.
November 22 – The Premier League’s media rights will stay with NBC Sports in the US in a record-setting $2.7 billion deal, about $450 million per season.
By Paul Nicholson
November 19 – FIFA has again come under attack for its political maneuvering in Africa, this time from a leading club president in Cameroon who has criticised the world governing body and its president Gianni Infantino for manipulating federation politics, and ignoring rulings made at CAS.
November 19 – Denmark will wear messages highlighting human rights on their training kit during the World Cup in Qatar next year.
November 19 – Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will meet in the final of the inaugural Women’s African Champions League to crown the continent’s best club.