PSG fined €100K for racial profiling of academy player data
By Andrew Warshaw
January 22 – Paris St-Germain have been fined what many might view as a token €100,000 fine over alleged racism within its scouting system.
Search continues but hopes fade for Sala’s missing plane
January 23 – Hopes are tragically fading fast for Argentine-born star Emiliano Sala 36 hours after the light aircraft in which he was the sole passenger disappeared in the English Channel en route to Cardiff where he had signed for the Premier League club.
Football is not realising its sponsorship or partnership potential, says Hester
January 23 – Football is increasingly reliant on commercial revenues. Sponsorship and brand partnerships remain significant with 25-60% of commercial income coming from brands. Yet the capability to report the true value of these brand associations still remains flawed, according to sponsorship expert Toby Hester
Liverpool and Juve lead in the battle of ‘transfer smarts’
January 22 – In an analysis of players whose current estimated transfer value exceeds their fee paid, Liverpool and Juventus come out as leaders when it comes to deal making on top talent with both clubs having three players in the top 20 list of players.
Ronaldo agrees €18.8m tax fraud fine in Spain
January 21 – Cristiano Ronaldo accepted an €18.8 million fine today when he appeared in a Madrid court over tax evasion charges.
Hayu Omani: Fans create crisis for Sharjah restaurants
By Aqeel Saleh in Sharjah
January 23 – With the first set of knock-out rounds over, for many the long journey home begins – the end of their football adventure. Some of those leaving the Asian Cup in the UAE will be missed more than others, with few missed more than the Omani fans, especially in Sharjah.
Bassam fires 7th rocket for Qatar in Asian Cup
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 22 – Qatar’s defender Bassam Al-Rawi fired his second goal from a free kick in Qatar’s 1-0 narrow victory over Iraq in round 16 of the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Qatar break Iraqi hearts in an all-or-nothing thriller
Qatar 1 Iraq 0
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 22 – ‘We & the Nation of Pride are Fine’ reads the side of the Qatari team bus in the UAE at the Asian Cup. After tonight’s 1-0 win over Iraq they are doing much better than that.
Battling Bahrain take South Korea to extra time
Bahrain 1 South Korea 2
January 22 – South Korea edged Bahrain 2-1 after a nervy 120 minutes to book a spot in the last eight of the Asian Cup. The Bahrainis resisted the Korean onslaught for long periods but in the end succumbed to Kim Jin-su’s first international goal, a far-post header, in the 115th minute.
Football governing bodies issue joint threat to pirate channel beoutQ
By Samindra Kunti and Paul Nicholson
January 22 – FIFA, UEFA, AFC, La Liga, the Premier League and the Bundesliga have today issued a joint statement condemning “clear and flagrant” pirating of games by satellite channel beoutQ, but refrained from naming Saudi Arabia as culpable for the infringements though the channel broadcasts from the country.
Cardiff’s new striker Sala on missing plane over the English Channel
January 22 – Argentinian forward Emiliano Sala was on a plane that went missing over the English Channel on Monday evening while he was en route to Cardiff City after being signed by the Premier League club, French aviation officials have confirmed.
Premier League launches new attack on Saudi-backed beoutQ broadcast piracy
By Paul Nicholson
January 22 – Following the launch of a website detailing the broadcast piracy of Saudi Arabia-based beoutQ, the Premier League has issued a statement saying it has appointed legal counsel to fight the copyright theft and reassuring rightsholders it will work with them to stop the illegal broadcast.
US bankers underwrite debt to save second tier Spanish club CF Reus
January 22 – US investors Russell Platt and Clifton Onolfo have taken over financially troubled Spanish second-division club CF Reus that was under threat of closure.
Workers rights: French players union accuses PSG of abuse in Rabiot dispute
January 22 – A French player power dispute has intensified with the country’s National Professional Footballers’ Union saying Paris Saint-Germain have “no right” to exclude Adrien Rabiot from their first-team setup simply for refusing to sign a new contract.
Adidas unveils official ball for Madrid Champions League final
January 22 – Adidas have unveiled the ball for the Champions League final to be played at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.