Vietnam make second leg advantage count to beat Malaysia to win Suzuki Cup
December 17 – Vietnam defeated Malaysia 1-0 on Saturday to claim a second Suzuki Cup 3-2 on aggregate. Nguyen Anh Duc scored the deciding goal early on in Hanoi.
Egypt and South Africa in run off to host AFCON 2019
December 17 – Next year’s Africa Cup of Nations will take place in either Egypt or South Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed.
Njoya takes over Cameroon FA presidency promising reform and end to 5 years of crisis
December 17 – Cameroon has a new federation president in Seidou Mbombo Njoya who has vowed to rebuild credibility after the country was stripped of hosting rights for next year’s African Nations Cup.
Friend or foe? Infantino closes Doha summit with another call for 48-team 2022 World Cup
By Paul Nicholson in Doha
December 14 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino concluded the FIFA Summits in Doha, Qatar, yesterday with what is becoming his trademark battle cry for an expansion of the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams and another reference to his being just another “citizen of the world”.
Suzuki Cup: Vietnam look to press home advantage in final’s second leg
December 14 – Vietnam will be the favourites to win the Suzuki Cup on Saturday when they host Malaysia at the My Dint National Stadium in Hanoi in the second leg of the final.
CAF chaos: Ivory Coast appeal to CAS against stripping of 2021 AFCON hosting
By Andrew Warshaw
December 14 – In a hugely embarrassing snub to the leadership of African football, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has carried out its threat and has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision to strip it of hosting rights for 2021 African Cup of Nations.
UEFA hammer AC Milan with €12m fine and European ban threat for breaking FFP rules
December 14 – As if their misfortunes on the field weren’t enough after being eliminated from the Europa League, AC Milan have been slapped with a massive €12 million fine by UEFA and threatened with a one-season ban from European competition for breaking financial fair play rules.
Glenn quits role as CEO of English FA
December 14 – English football is looking for a new boss after the Football Association announced that Martin Glenn has resigned as CEO after four years at the helm and will leave his role in May next year.
Top brass gather in Qatar for grand reveal of 2022 showpiece Lusail Stadium design
By Paul Nicholson in Doha
December 12 – Guests, dignitaries and media are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for the launch on Saturday of the Lusail Stadium design that will be the showpiece venue hosting the opening match and final of the 2022 World Cup.
Chelsea fury at their racist fans after more abuse in Europa League tie
December 14 – The reputation of Chelsea supporters as among the worst in English football has plummeted to an all-time low after their own club questioned the “brain power” of some fans following the latest disgraceful scenes of racist abuse.
LaLiga brings in IMG as exclusive agency for global sponsorship sales
December 14 – LaLiga has brought in sports marketing agency IMG to boost its global sponsorship sales as it continues its international revenue drive.
CAF exco member Ngaïssona charged with war crimes, murder, torture and recruiting child soldiers
By Paul Nicholson
December 13 – Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, a member of CAF’s executive committee and president of the Central African Republic FA, has been arrested in France and charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, torture and the recruitment of child soldiers.
Japan leave Kagawa and Okazaki out of 2019 Asian Cup squad but include Yoshida
By Samindra Kunti
December 13 – Japan have dropped Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa from their Asian Cup squad with coach Hajime Moriyasu opting for youth.
National identity: Basque region votes to apply for UEFA and FIFA recognition
December 13 – Using cases like Gibraltar and Kosovo as precedents, Spain’s Basque region is to request formal recognition from both FIFA and UEFA following a vote by its local assembly.
Morocco pull out of 2019 AFCON hosting. CAF bid deadline tomorrow
December 13 – Morocco have pulled out of the running to step in as replacement hosts of next June’s African Nations Cup leaving South Africa and Egypt as front-runners.