England, France and Netherlands drawn together in Euro 2025 ‘group of death’
December 17 – Women’s Euro 2021 champions England will open their title defence against France at the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland next summer.
World Football
UEFA boosts Euro 2025 prize money to €41m with per diems set at €657 per player
December 17 – Prize money for next summer’s 2025 Women’s European Championship will increase by a whopping 156% compared to the previous edition, with the 16 teams sharing €41 million.
The MLS-Liga MX Summer face-off for the Leagues Cup to change format in 2025
December 17 – The Leagues Cup will undergo a dramatic change in 2025 according to Liga MX president Mikel Arriola, who spoke to reporters on Sunday having taken over the reins as acting commissioner of the league after the surprise ousting of Juan Carlos Rodriguez.
PSG-Lyon game interrupted as homophobic chanting continues to plague French league
December 17 – French authorities are considering what action to take after the high-profile clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon was briefly interrupted Sunday because of yet more homophobic chanting by PSG fans, a stain on the game that continues to blight top fixtures across the country.
Galician Rafeal Louzan wins Spanish FA presidency
December 17 – Rafael Louzan has been elected president of the Spanish FA (RFEF) after more than a year of turmoil at the scandal-ridden body following the downfall of former chief Luis Rubiales and his right-hand man Pedro Rocha.
Diallo returned as French FA chief on platform of more cash for grassroots and women’s development
December 17 – With a programme focused on the development of amateur and women’s football, Philippe Diallo has been re-elected as chairman of the French Football Federation (FFF), defeating Pierre Samsonoff in the vote.
Udinese’s redeveloping Bluenergy Stadium awarded UEFA Super Cup 2025 final
December 17 – Udinese Calcio’s Bluenergy Stadium has been confirmed by UEFA as the venue for the Super Cup 2025, marking the competition’s first venture on to Italian soil.
FC Urban and Equip Sport win Champions Innovate start-up finding
December 17 – The two start-ups selected for the second edition of Champions Innovate, UEFA’s pioneering programme promoting active and healthy lifestyles around the 2025 Champions League final, have been announced: Mastercard will collaborate with FC Urban, while adidas will partner with Equip Sport.
Croatian capital Zagreb commits €40m to rebuilding of Kranjčevićeva stadium
December 17 – Following a public consultation, the city of Zagreb has issued a tender for the reconstruction of the Kranjčevićeva stadium in Croatia’s capital.
Concacaf and MLS sign on for invitation-only business conference before Nations League finals
December 17 – Sports Business Journal and sister company Leaders in Sport will hold a soccer-focussed business of football conference next March 19-20, 2025 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.
Ukraine complain after graphic at FIFA 2026 draw omits Crimea
December 16 – FIFA has been criticised by Ukraine for an “unacceptable error” after it appeared to exclude Crimea as part of the country during last week’s European draw for the 2026 World Cup.
Rodriguez quits Liga MX after clubs refuse to back $1.25bn Apollo deal
December 16 – Juan Carlos Rodríguez, the president of Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), resigned on Friday during a meeting of Liga MX club owners who disagreed with his proposed investment strategy for the league.
Wiesenhof build on Euro 2024 sponsorship with 2025 commitment
December 16 – UEFA has announced that German poultry producer Wiesenhof has become an Official National Partner for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, set to take place in Switzerland from 2 to 27 July. It is the company’s first sponsorship of the tournament.
German power brokers Neuendorf and Watzke endorsed again for FIFA and UEFA roles
December 16 – The German FA (DFB) have backed Bernd Neuendorf and Hans-Joachim Watzke for re-election to the FIFA Council and UEFA executive committee respectively.
Bochum and Union Berlin walk to draw after Drewes hit on head by missile
December 16 – Bochum will protest to the German football association after their goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was hit by a lighter in their Bundesliga draw at Union Berlin on Saturday, with the teams later returning to the pitch to finish the match but running down the clock without trying to score.