Man City’s Mendy has another rape case added to his charges
December 23 – Manchester City’s £50 million defender Benjamin Mendy has been charged with a fresh rape count on top of the six he is already facing.
World Football
Abramovich makes it clear in UK libel court he isn’t Putin’s energy rich stooge
December 23 – Russian oligarch and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has settled his libel case over publication of claims that he bought the club on the orders of Vladimir Putin.
Al Ahly retain African Super Cup with penalty win over Raja Casablanca in Doha
December 23 – Egypt’s Al Ahly claimed the African Super Cup on penalties against Morocco’s Raja Casablanca to reaffirm their dominance of the continental club game.
Motsepe greenlights AFCON in Cameroon despite covid concerns and CWC date clash
December 22 – With Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe all but ending speculation over the fate of the Africa Cup of Nations, he has reiterated that fans will need to provide a negative PCR test to attend matches and allow the competition to be organised in a bio-secure way.
Coronavirus: Scots advance winter break talks after stadium capacities capped at 500
December 22 – A decision on whether or not the Scottish Premiership winter break will be brought forward is expected in the next 48 hours after a 500-capacity cap was placed on all spectators over what is traditionally a heavily attended Christmas and New Year programme.
Urgent: new owner needed. Serie A’s Salernitana must sell by year end to stay in league
December 22 – Recently promoted Salernitana will be kicked out of Serie A if they do not find a new owner by December 31, according to Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina.
Milan clubs unveil their ‘Cathedral’ to replace their San Siro icon
December 22 – The core design scheme for the new stadium that will replace the Milan’s San Siro as the home for AC Milan and InterMilan has been chosen.
Italian investigators add Inter Milan to transfer fraud probe
December 22 – The ongoing investigation into financial fraud in the Italian game has now enveloped reigning champions Inter Milan whose offices were raided on Tuesday with Italian law enforcement saying they had seized various documents.
Match-fixing: Pawel Cibicki banned in Sweden for taking ‘bribe’
December 22 – Former Leeds United winger Pawel Cibicki has been convicted of offences related to match-fixing by a court of appeal in Sweden and reportedly banned from playing in the country for four years.
CAF boss Motsepe reassures that AFCON will kick off in Cameroon on Jan 9
December 21 – In his last-minute visit to Cameroon, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has given some reassurances that the Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead as planned after weeks of uncertainty.
Barcelona’s socios mandate board to secure €1.5bn for Espai Barça project
December 21 – Barcelona can’t afford players to keep their playing squad competitive in European competition, but that hasn’t stopped the association’s members mandating the board to raise up to €1.5 billion to pay for the Espai Barça project.
Botafogo, back in Brazil’s top flight, secure 30-year tenure at Olympic Stadium
December 21 – Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo will keep playing at the Olympic Stadium until 2051 after renewing the venue’s concession.
Belgian Pro League chair Croonen quits saying the club-league tightrope walk is too difficult
December 21 – Peter Croonen (pictured) has stepped down as chairman of the Belgian Pro League after a dispute over the domestic calendar with Racing Genk, the club he also chairs.
Spurs’ Euro campaign over as UEFA rule they must forfeit Rennes tie
December 20 – Tottenham Hotspur have been eliminated from the Europa Conference League after UEFA ruled their postponed fixture against Rennes would be deemed as forfeited.
AFCON uncertainty over Infantino’s backing of player withdrawals and CWC date clash
December 20 – Fresh uncertainty has emerged over whether next month’s African Nations Cup in Cameroon will take place following claims that FIFA president Gianni Infantino has intervened.