Belgium’s Deinze folds after court declares club bankrupt
December 12 – Following the failed takeover of ADA Group, Belgian second-division club KMSK Deinze has been declared bankrupt by a local court in Ghent.
World Football
Sports Illustrated takes naming rights to New York Red Bull’s stadium in 13-year deal
December 12 – New York Red Bulls (NYRB) have entered into a ground-breaking 13-year naming rights agreement that will see their home rebranded from Red Bull Arena to Sports Illustrated Stadium, effective immediately.
Flamengo release designs for planned new 80,000 capacity stadium
December 12 – Last month, Brazilian Serie A club Flamengo took a major step towards realising a dream decades in the making. Club officials met with representatives from the city of Rio de Janeiro at Flamengo’s Gávea headquarters to sign an agreement that will pave the way for the construction of a state-of-the-art, almost 80,000-seat stadium in the Gasômetro area, with visuals of the project made available this week for the first time.
Women’s football attendances leap 38% overtaking 130-year old Rugby League
December 12 – Women’s football in the UK is booming, having shown year-on-year growth of nearly 38%, leading to larger, and more consistent, crowds than ever before, according to a report by ad agency Two Circles.
UEFA hits Serbia with fines and stadium restrictions after fans refuse to obey rules
December 12 – UEFA has fined the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) €173,000, partially closed the stands for the next two home matches, and banned the sale of tickets to fans for the next two away matches after a number of offenses during games against Switzerland and Denmark in the Nations League last month.
MLS keeps faith in draft with 44 players in San Diego for first look college showcase
December 12 – The road to Major League Soccer (MLS) once primarily ran through the collegiate system in the form of a draft. Now clubs have deeper pockets, and look towards different pastures, however, the MLS College Showcase can still turn up a nugget or two.
AC Milan turn to Tiffany for Hall of Fame trophy
December 12 – Italian giants, AC Milan, would like to see themselves as the ‘Tiffany’ club in Italian and world football, and they may well have succeeded in a new partnership with luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co.
Argentine FA bans one ref and suspends six others as match-fixing probe deepens
December 11 – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has banned referee Matías Beares following his involvement in match-fixing.
UEFA to set up of human rights advisory board for Women’s Euro 2025
December 11 – UEFA is to set up a dedicated human rights advisory board for next year’s final tournament in Switzerland. The announcement was timed to mark international Human Rights Day, observed annually on 10 December.
Udinese to turn Stadio Friuli into sports, cultural and commercial hub
December 11 – The Udine city council has approved a comprehensive redevelopment plan for Stadio Friuli, home to Serie A club Udinese.
Manuel Neuer joins lengthening Bayern Munich injury list
December 11 – German goalkeeping legend Manuel Neuer has been ruled out for the rest of the year after suffering a broken rib.
Nike renew Brazil kit contract to 2038 with $100m+ annual deal
December 10 – In 1996 the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) and Nike teamed up for a partnership worth a reported $35 million per year. On Friday a new deal was announced, and times have changed!
Messi dropped as players vote for their World XI. No US players make women’s selection
December 10 – FIFA may still rate Lionel Messi as one of the best players in the world on current form but his peers clearly do not.
Out of line: English referee David Coote fired for misconduct
December 10 – Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked after his position was deemed “untenable” by English football’s referees body following an investigation into his conduct which found his actions to be in serious breach of his contract.
MLS Next Pro vs USL Academy. Indy Eleven show US talent is nationwide
December 9 – The United Soccer League (USL) continues to provide healthy competition to Major League Soccer despite its second tier status, and that crosses over into the youth game.