Big mistake: Lazio fire falconer after posting dick pic online
January 15 – Lazio have fired the person who handled the Italian club’s eagle mascot after he posted photos and videos online of his prosthetic erect penis.
World Football
Barca president Laporta moans of conspiracies trying to ‘destabilise’ club
January 15 – Barcelona president Joan Laporta has defended his administration’s handling of the Dani Olmo case as he lashed out against an alleged campaign to tarnish the club’s image.
Barca raises €100m in cash for 9,600 long term season tickets in new Camp Nou
January 15 – FC Barcelona’s financial difficulties are well documented, and the search for cash has at times seemed like a selling of the family jewels, however the club announced that they have eased financial concerns after raising an initial €100 million ($102m) from the sale of 30-year ‘season tickets’ in the VIP section of its revamped Camp Nou stadium.
Klopp defends German criticism of his Red Bull role
January 15 – Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hit back at critics of his new job as Red Bull’s head of global football.
Wrexham revise plans for Racecourse Ground to match club’s growing global demand
January 15 – Hollywood’s favourite football club, AFC Wrexham, is set to submit revised designs for a new 5,500-capacity stand at the Racecourse Ground to the local council at the beginning of next month.
MLS opens up to new transfer system that allows ‘real’ money player trading
January 15 – It has taken some time for Major League Soccer (MLS) to catch up with the world game, however, on the back of announcing the league would move to the international calendar in 2026 comes the news that the league will implement new internal cash transfer market for the 2025 season.
Doucet to co-chair WLF as women’s leagues build their platform
January 15 – Women’s Super League CEO Nikki Doucet has been appointed co-chair of the Women’s Leagues Forum (WLF), alongside existing chair Jessica Berman, commissioner of the NWSL.
Steve Bould quits Belgium’s Lommel SK
January 15 – Citing ‘personal reasons’, Englishman Steve Bould has departed his managerial role at Belgium’s Lommel SK, one of the City Football Group clubs.
Bank of America goes all-in with long-term US Soccer sponsorship
January 15 – The second largest banking organisation in the United States, Bank of America (BofA), is continuing its foray into the world of football. Hot on the heels of partnering with FIFA’s properties, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2025 World Club Cup, BofA, can now boast the US Soccer Federation as a long-term partner.
Cyprus’ Omonia Nicosia asks CFA for foreign refs for remainder of season
January 15 – One of the most decorated Cypriot football clubs, Omonia Nicosia, has sent an official request to the Cyprus Football Federation (CFA) to have all of the team’s matches officiated by foreign referees until the end of the season.
ECA hires Nick Noble to head comms and marketing
January 15 – The European Club Association has hired football media and communications specialist Nick Noble as its new chief communications and marketing officer.
German court rules clubs must cover costs of match-day policing
January 14 – In a landmark ruling, a German court has established that football can be billed for the costs of policing during high-risk matches.
RFEF enters negotiations to keep Spanish Super Cup in Saudi
January 14 – After one of the most thrilling Supercopa Finals in the history of the competition, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) plans to extend the contract with Saudi Arabia for another five years so that the Super Cup will be held in this country until 2034.
Hollywood’s favourite team takes a step closer to European competition
January 14 – If the scales of power tip anymore in the favour of Wrexham FC, they’ll soon find themselves champions of Europe as well as Hollywood after plans have been revealed for a revamped Welsh League Cup that could hand power couple, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, a way into Europe pending approval from the English Football Association.
Court rules bookmaker Esportes da Sorte’s five club sponsorship deals are legal
January 14 – Betting operator Esportes da Sorte will be allowed to maintain their presence in Brazil following a federal court injunction.