Real Madrid vs PSG, Juve vs Spurs headline Champions League last 16 match-ups
December 11 – Real Madrid will have to overcome one of the teams of the moment if they want to achieve a hattrick of Champions League crowns.
World Football
Turkish clubs protest Trump decision with ‘Jerusalem is our red line’ banners
By Mark Baber
December 11 – Turkish footballers and fans protested US President Trump’s controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, unfurling pro-Palestine banners at domestic football matches.
Toronto FC secure treble as 2026 World Cup bid promises bigger, better, more
By Paul Nicholson
December 11 – Toronto FC have created their own piece of history becoming the first Canadian team to win the MLS Cup and the first team to win the treble of domestic honours. The final also gave the opportunity for the United 2026 World Cup bid of Canada, Mexico and the US to promise a 2026 finals that will be bigger, better and more.
Former Zimbabwe FA chief warns of dangers of re-electing corruption-charged Chiyangwa
December 12 – Further pressure is growing on Zimbabwean football boss Philip Chiyangwa, an ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, after his leadership came under a strongly worded attack from former Zimbabwe FA (ZIFA) chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze.
News analysis: Dragon fire and Scandi cold shoulder over Wembley’s Euro 2020 bonus
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – And then there were 12. If UEFA’s decision to drop Brussels as one of the 13 original hosts of Euro 2020 was widely anticipated, handing Wembley the four matches the Belgian capital would otherwise have staged is hard to justify in terms of what the tournament is supposed to stand for.
UEFA reveals seedings for inaugural Nations League draw
December 8 – UEFA has set the seedings for the inaugural Nations League draw on January 24 with Germany, Portugal, Belgium and Spain in Pot 1 of League A. England are in Pot 2 of the same league.
Ronaldo equals Messi winning Ballon d’Or for fifth time
December 8 – Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d‘Or for world player of the year on Thursday for a joint-record fifth time, equalling the feat of Lionel Messi.
Hope Solo enters race for US Soccer’s top job
December 8 – Hope Solo, the United States’ World Cup-winning goalkeeper, has thrown her hat into the ring for presidency of the US Soccer Federation, taking the number of declared candidates to eight.
Nottingham Forest reach out to Jamaican diaspora with anniversary celebrations
December 8 – Nottingham Forest have announced they will include as part of their diversity programme an initiative to embrace the Jamaican diaspora in Nottingham and the contribution they have made to the city.
Pinnick apologises to Nigeria’s neglected women’s team with promise of new dawn
December 7 – The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has apologised for neglecting Nigeria’s women national team. The Super Falcons haven’t played a single match since winning the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON).
Premier League teams make mark on Champions League with 5 though to last 16
December 7 – Are English transfer fees at last paying off at European level after Premier League clubs made Champions League history?
Gulati calls an end to his US presidency after 12 years at the top
December 5 – After considerable reflection Sunil Gulati has ruled himself out of contesting the presidential election for the US Soccer Federation (USSF). Gulati is standing aside after the United States’ abject failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and having been head of the USSF for 12 years.
Messi brutally hacked down with no video ref in sight
December 5 – For the second time this year, a bronze statue of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has been vandalised in Buenos Aires with the motive unclear.
Exclusive: Brussels set to lose Euro 2020 hosting, Stockholm poised to grab opening
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – Brussels looks set to stripped as a host city for Euro 2020 this week with Stockholm likely to be parachuted in as a replacement.
Whistleblower puts Chiyangwa on Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption commission radar
December 4 – The conduct of Zimbabwean football boss Philip Chiyangwa (pictured), an ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has been called into question in his own country amid allegations of corruption.