FIFA revamps flatlining sponsorship offer
By David Owen
December 13 – FIFA is restructuring its sponsorship offer to enable brands to associate themselves specifically with the governing body’s women’s football and e-sports competitions.
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Juve mine gold bar merchandise deal with Aurora, no irony intended
December 14 – Juventus has teamed up with jewellery brand Aurora. The deal will give Aurora more exposure in the Italian market.
Brentford structures Steelo partnership around community initiative
December 14 – Premier League newcomers Brentford have signed structural steel fabrication company, Steelo, as an Official Club Partner until the end of 2023/24 season.
Bad luck of the redraw: PSG get Real Madrid, Liverpool face Inter
December 13 – There is no question about the match-up of the round following the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League – but it wasn’t the original tie!
Man Utd vs PSG, Ronaldo vs Messi…bit of a balls up forces UEFA redraw
December 13 – There was no question about the match-up of the round when the draw was made today for the last 16 of the Champions League – only for the entire process to be declared null and void minutes later in a major embarrassment for UEFA.
‘Concerned’ IOC leaders warn Infantino of damage to sport a biennial WC would cause
December 13 – Olympic leaders have re-emphasised their opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s pet plan to stage the World Cup every two years even though the idea is now almost certainly on the backburner following widespread global criticism.
NYCFC win first MLS Cup, taking CFG’s current title holding clubs to three
December 13 – With New York City FC’s maiden win of the MLS championship, City Football Group clubs now hold the three domestic club titles in three regionally dominant football nations – Manchester City are Premier League champions, while Melbourne City are Australia’s A-League champions.
One UEFA ball that won’t be needing a White Knight to fix
December 12 – While the small balls of the UEFA Champions League draw have confused confusion and no-little amusement, the big ball to be used for the real match-up has been unveiled by Adidas.
Eto’o wins Cameroon FA election and immediately promises players more money
December 13 – Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o has been elected the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) for a four-year term, defeating the incumbent Seidou Mbombo Njoya.
Spurs face forfeiting Rennes match over refusal to detail number of covid-infected
December 11 – Tottenham Hotspur’s postponed Covid-hit Europa Conference League game against Rennes has been scrapped altogether and will not be played at all, putting the Premier League club at risk of having to forfeit the match and being thrown out of the competition.
Coronavirus: Man Utd positive tests threaten Brentford game
December 11 – Manchester United are the latest English top-flight club to be hit by a new coronavirus outbreak with a “small number” of players and staff testing positive.
Infected Bayern star Kimmich ‘regrets’ he didn’t get jabbed
December 13 – Bayern Munich and Germany star Joshua Kimmich will get vaccinated against the coronavirus after infection forced him to sit time out on the sidelines. Kimmich had refused to get jabbed, his vaccine hesitancy putting him in the spotlight of the vaccination debate.
Arab Cup: Qatar face UAE for spot in last 8; Moroccan form makes them title favourites
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 10 – In the last eight of the FIFA Arab Cup, hosts Qatar will take on rivals the United Arab Emirates on Friday seeking to build on their convincing group-stage form while Morocco and Algeria headline Saturday’s action.
Biennial World Cup and ESL no longer agenda items as UEFA focuses on new priorities
By Paul Nicholson
December 10 – UEFA will hold its Executive Committee next Thursday (December 16) via video conference and with an agenda that is noticeable absent of the two biggest issues that have faced the European federation over the past eight months – the biennial World Cup and the thwarted plans for a European Super League (ESL).
Spurs’ covid crisis forces Brighton game off and Vitesse to question fairness of Conference League
December 10 – The Covid outbreak sweeping through English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, which put paid to Thursday’s Europa Conference League fixture, has now forced Sunday’s Premier League game at Brighton to also be postponed.