By Samindra Kunti
January 15 – Hosts Morocco opened the fifth edition of the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a thumping win against neighbours Mauritania, putting forward their credentials as a renewed force in African football both on the pitch and as hosts of major tournaments.
By David Owen
January 15 – The draw has been completed for the 2018 World Football Cup, to be staged in London between May 31 and June 9.
January 15 – Two months after being banned for life, one of the highest profile figures in the FIFAGate corruption scandal, former Nicaragua Football Federation chief Julio Rocha has died after battling with cancer.
January 15 – CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani has wasted no time moving into trouble-shooting mode in the wake of Donald Trump’s “shithole” slur that will do little to find favour among FIFA’s federations as the bid for the 2026 World Cup enters a key phase.
January 15 – Nike is the most influential sports brand in China, followed by the Chinese Basketball league and football’s Chinese Super league in third position. Sports leisure brands Adidas and New Balance occupy fourth and fifth positions.
January 15 – Former Manchester United and Wales star Ryan Giggs has been appointed manager of his national team on a four-year contract in succession to Chris Coleman.
January 15 – The AFC Champions League kicks off its 2018 competition tomorrow with the first of the Preliminary Stage 1 qualifiers seeing teams chase the highest prize money ever in the history of the competition that has become one of the richest continental club competitions in world football.
If there ever was a snub, then it is this one: Transparencist-in-Chief and FIFA-Almighty Gianni, The Infantino, made a trip recently to see how his flock are faring in the timid December heat of the Middle East. It was a fine trip, with lovely meals, lovely people everywhere and lovely sights to see (sic!).
January 12 – Morocco’s Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, has been appointed head of the country’s Bid Committee for the 2026 World Cup.
January 12 – The French football league (LFP) has suspended the use of goal-line technology due to a series of errors.
January 12 – Pro-Tibetan sympathisers are planning to stage a protest ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City on Sunday against a sponsorship deal struck last year.
January 12 – While betting company sponsorship of clubs and gambling advertising targeted at football fans on mainstream media in England has come under increasing regulatory focus in England, in Scotland there appear to be fewer concerns.
January 12 – The rapidly growing partnership between the NFL and UK fans of the sport breaks new ground later this year when Tottenham Hotspur’s new 61,000-seat stadium hosts an NFL fixture for the first time when the Seattle Seahawks play the Oakland Raiders on October 14.
January 12 – Referees in African international matches are to be paid directly by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead of national associations in the wake of Ghanaian official Joseph Lamptey’s (pictured) life ban for match-fixing.
January 12 – Brazilian superstar Neymar has announced the launch of his own app – Neymar Experience – in partnership with mobile technology company Digible.