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.
CAF forced to push February start of CHAN back to an August kick-off
January 15 – The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been postponed until summer, just weeks before the tournament was due to kick off in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced.
HSBC becomes founding partner of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park
January 15 – The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) has been named the exclusive Premier Founding Partner of the soon-to-be opened Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.
Saudi-owned SURJ set to spend $1bn on DAZN stake
January 15 – After months of speculation, Saudi Arabia is closing in on a $1 billion investment in sports streaming platform DAZN, offering the Arab Kingdom a sports broadcasting arm and home to sports rights properties.
Sevilla’s Kike Salas at centre of spot-fixing probe
January 15 – Spanish police briefly detained Sevilla defender Kike Salas on Tuesday with the player alleged to be involved in an illegal betting scandal.
Ranking highlights top U23 targets in transfer window
January 15 – The CIES Football Observatory has unveiled the top U23 players outside Europe’s big five leagues who appear most prepared to take the next step in their careers, based on an index that evaluates a variety of data.
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.
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.
QuickBooks use West Ham promotion as tax deadline nears
January 15 – West Ham United, in collaboration with their Official Accounting Software Partner, Intuit QuickBooks, has launched a new campaign aimed at supporting local businesses and helping them prepare for the upcoming self-assessment tax deadline on January 31.
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.