Roma get go-ahead to build new 52,500 football Colosseum
December 7 – Serie A side AS Roma have been given the go-ahead to build their own stadium after an on-off project planning process that has taken five years to complete.
From out in the cold to the red hot centre. Qatar offers Kuwait Gulf Cup hosting rights
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – In an unexpected twist, Qatar has offered Kuwait the chance to take over as host nation of the forthcoming Gulf Cup in order to ensure full participation of those eligible to take part, according to unconfirmed local reports.
Russian racism returns as Spartak player targets Liverpool’s Brewster in Youth League
December 12 – Already reeling from the doping scandal that has reverberated through world sport, Russian football has been hit with its latest claim of racism, this time against Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster who has alleged he was abused by a Spartak Moscow player during a UEFA Youth League game on Wednesday.
AFC boosts prize money for 2018 Champions League and AFC Cup
December 7 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a significant boost in prize money for the second year running for its growing regional club competitions.
2018 World Cup ticket demand rockets with 1.3m requests in 24 hours
December 7 – It has been a slow burn but ticket sales have suddenly ignited for the Russia 2018 World Cup following the Final Draw last Friday. 1,318,109 tickets were requested in the first 24 hours from when the sales window opened December 6.
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).
Aussies stay in control of FFA as FIFA commits to another round of reform talk
December 7 – Australian football has won a stay of execution after FIFA decided not to take over the running of the sport in the midst of an internal power struggle.
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?
Champagne moment for FIFA as limited-edition bottle launched by Taittinger
By David Owen
December 7 – It may come as a bit of a kick in the teeth to Russia’s sparkling wine industry, but Taittinger has just launched a limited-edition 2018 World Cup souvenir bottle of its highly-regarded Brut Réserve NV champagne.
IOC bans Russia 2018 supremo Mutko from all Olympic events over doping scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
December 6 – The position of Russian World Cup supremo Vitaly Mutko has been catapulted back into the spotlight following the International Olympic Committee’s far-reaching decision to ban all Russian athletes from competing under their own flag at next year’s winter Olympics as punishment for a state-sponsored doping programme.
FIFA’s lifting of Kuwait ban opens door for staging of Gulf Cup in Qatar
By Andrew Warshaw
December 6 – Organisers of this month’s Gulf Cup in Qatar look set to imminently announce whether the event can go ahead, with prospects given a huge boost by FIFA lifting its suspension of Kuwait after two years in the sporting wilderness.
ICSS launches whistleblower hotline for the US and Canada
December 6 – The US, whose law enforcement bodies are intent on cleaning up world football and its global corruption surrounding high value marketing rights in the Americas, now has a dedicated whistleblower line for athletes, sports execs and even members of the public who want to report misconduct.
Bility and Liberian FA accelerate war on whistleblower Woodson, with second suspension
By Paul Nicholson
December 6 – The iron fist of democracy with which Musa Bility rules the Liberian FA (LFA) has once again landed on his arch critic Rochell Woodson who has been suspended for a second time by the LFA from fulfilling her duties as an executive committee member.
Mbappé beats Dele Alli to top transfer value spot. Six players at English clubs make top 10
December 6 – French prodigy Kylian Mbappé tops the ranking by transfer value of U21 players in the big-5 European leagues. The PSG striker takes over the lead spot from Spurs’ Dele Alli.
Mexican stand-off? Speculation on World Cup hosting borders on fantasy? But it’s a good tale
December 6 – Unlikely as it may seem, FIFA are reportedly considering the option of pushing back Qatar’s staging of the World Cup to 2026 because of the current impasse in the area – and splitting 2022 between the United States, Canada and Mexico who are bidding for the later tournament.