Chelsea’s Mudryk tests positive for doping
December 17 – Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football following a positive drugs test, according to the Football Association.
Premier League
Saints and Wolves fire managers as gap opens at bottom of Premier League
December 16 – The Premier League’s bottom two clubs both sacked their managers on Sunday as Gary O’Neil was dismissed by Wolverhampton Wanderers, followed by Southampton parting company with Russell Martin.
Man City report rise in 2023/24 revenue to £715m but pending FFP ruling is still the elephant in the room
December 13 – Manchester City have announced a club-record revenue of £715 million for their 2023/24 financial year, alongside profits of £73.8 million.
Stats Perform adds AI and Opta to expanded Football DataCo deal
December 13 – Stats Perform has expanded its media data partnership with Football DataCo (FDC), with its Opta sports data brand becoming the official insights provider for FDC competitions.
Guardiola looks towards his golf clubs, saying Man City is his last club job
December 11 – Elite clubs hoping to perhaps woo Pep Guardiola after his Manchester City days can think again after the Spaniard announced City will be his final managerial job in club football.
Gunners aim for Ashworth as Edu’s replacement
December 11 – Sporting director, Dan Ashworth must be racking the moving bills. Fresh from his sudden departure from Manchester United, the former Newcastle United sporting director is high on the list of candidates to move into the same role at Arsenal.
Match day 15: Premier League’s pre-Christmas crowds drop
December 10 – This week’s capacity tracker shows the Premier League suffering from a slight attendance slump in the build-up to Christmas – a pattern reflected last season as the festive season approaches.
Man Utd’s revolving door sees Ashworth exit after boardroom bust-up
December 9 – In a move that stunned Manchester United fans as well as the football world at large, United sporting director Dan Ashworth is leaving the club just five months after taking over the role as part of an overhaul by minority owner Jim Ratcliffe.
PUMA and Man City launch fan-led AI kit design platform for 2026/27 club strip
December 9 – Global sportswear brand Puma and Manchester City have unveiled an innovative AI-powered kit design platform, giving fans the unprecedented chance to design the club’s official Third kit for the 2026/27 season.
West Ham and Jamaica striker Michail Antonio has surgery after car crash
December 9 – West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following his involvement in a car accident on Saturday.
Match day 14: Mid-week fixtures see drop in Premier League attendances
December 6 – Manchester City recorded the most empty seats of any Premier League team this season as revealed by Inside World Football’s Capacity Tracker for matchweek 14, despite Pep Guardiola’s side turning around their losing form with a much-needed victory on Wednesday night.
West Ham boss Karen Brady warns government that lack of clarity over ownership test is harming new investment
December 5 – Clubs from across the English football pyramid are “alarmed” by the lack of consultation on legislation which could “fundamentally affect the future” of the game, West Ham United vice-chairwoman Karren Brady has warned.
Guehi’s ‘come to Jesus’ moments earn Premier League warning
December 5 – England international and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi will face no formal action from the English Football Association despite defying its rules for a second time by writing a religious message on his kit during a Premier League game celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Haram. Man United players stonewall the LGBTQ+ jacket
December 5 – Football and the LGBTQ+ community have worked together tirelessly over the last few years to bring more initiatives to the public forum. As one of the world’s biggest clubs, how Manchester United approaches this subject always makes news.
Brentford focussed on improved scouting data with renewed Eyeball.Club deal
December 4 – Premier League Brentford have renewed their collaboration with talent scouting digital platform Eyeball.Club that will see the Bees integrate Eyeball.Club’s software into their talent identification systems, complementing their traditional scouting methods which have proved to be successful since breaking into the Premier League in 2021.