NWSL expands season to 132-game schedule, keeps Challenge Cup openers
December 20 – The National Women’s Soccer League has unveiled a 132-game preliminary competition framework for its 10th anniversary season.
World Football
Ronaldo takes control at Brazil’s Cruzeiro with $70m investment
December 20 – Brazilian legend and Real Sociedad owner Ronaldo has obtained a controlling stake in his old club Cruzeiro, which has been struggling in the second division of the Brazilian game.
Kompany walks out after ‘monkey’ abuse at Brugges vs Anderlecht clash
December 20 – In the latest controversy to hit the Belgian domestic league, Anderlecht coach Vincent Kompany has slammed the racist comments during his side’s 2-2 with Club Brugge.
UEFA certified as Equal-Salary employer
December 20 – UEFA has been certified as an EQUAL-SALARY employer, the first sports organisation to do so.
Abramovich Brexited: Chelsea owner granted EU citizenship in Portugal
December 20 – Billionaire oligarch and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has become an EU citizen, three years after withdrawing his application for a UK visa amid diplomatic tensions between London and Moscow.
UEFA doubles up, opening host bidding for 2028 and 2032 Euros
December 17 – UEFA have opened the bidding for the 2032 European Championships and have confirmed it will run alongside 2028, with hosts for both being chosen at the same time in a radical change from past practice.
Nations League draw rematches England and Italy, with Germany to add extra edge
December 17 – Italy and England were drawn in the same Nations League group Thursday, setting up two mouth-watering rematches next year of their European Championship final.
Gabon U17 youth coach Assoumou Eyi accused of sexually abusing players
December 17 – Another appalling case of alleged football-related sexual abuse has been exposed, this time in an Africa’s Gabon.
MLS brings forward 2022 season start and opens with LA vs NY battle
December 17 – To facilitate the winter World Cup in 2022, the Major League Soccer season will kick off earlier, with the curtain raiser slated for February.
Ceferin sceptical that FIFA’s global powwow will bring biennial World Cup peace
By Andrew Warshaw
December 16 – The head of European football today took a veiled swipe at next week’s FIFA-organised Global Summit to determine the future of the game, hinting he expected little or nothing to emerge from what many perceive as a glorified talk shop.
A true world championship? UEFA and Conmebol set London date for Finalissima
December 16 – In a show of strength, renewing their existing Memorandum of Understanding, UEFA will stage a ‘Finalissima’ between Italy and Argentina in London next year.
Somali FA chief Abdiqani exits amid corruption allegations
December 15 – The head of Somalia’s FA Abdiqani Said Arab (pictured) has been kicked out of office over allegations of corruption in the latest scandal to hit African football.
Alonso takes over Uruguay’s Qatar 2022 misfiring qualification campaign
December 15 – Diego Alonso (pictured) has been appointed the new head coach of Uruguay, the country’s football association AUF announced on Tuesday.
Popal, Mata and DFB to receive UEFA #EqualGame Awards
December 15 – Khalida Popal, Juan Mata and the German Football Association (DFB) will all receive UEFA #EqualGame Awards this week to celebrate their work in promoting inclusion and diversity in football.
German clubs set sustainability agenda, voting to make them part of licensing criteria
December 15 – Germany’s 36 Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have voted for the inclusion of mandatory sustainability criteria in their licensing regulations.