Morocco staff up for 2026 World Cup bid, its fifth time of asking
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.
French league suspends goal-line technology after failures cross the reliability line
January 12 – The French football league (LFP) has suspended the use of goal-line technology due to a series of errors.
Liverpool face new wave of criticism over sponsor deal with China’s Tibet Water
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.
Ladbrokes set to extend SPFL deal. Betting on Rangers relegation suspended
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.
NFL and Spurs line-up Raiders and Seahawks for October debut in new stadium
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.
CAF takes control of ref payments in battle against match-fixing
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.
Neymar Experience app targets 2 million downloads at launch
January 12 – Brazilian superstar Neymar has announced the launch of his own app – Neymar Experience – in partnership with mobile technology company Digible.
Everton get by with a little help from their friends as stadium costs predicted to hit £500m
January 12 – Everton have set a 2022 target for taking occupancy of their new waterfront stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in Liverpool, at the same time that estimated costs have been acknowledged as having risen from an initial estimate of £300 million to £500 million.
De Bryune and Hazard debut in UEFA fans’ team of 2017. No slot for Kane
January 11 – Forget the often over-contrived confederation year end awards, surely a real vote is one cast by the people? If so, then the UEFA.com Fans’ Team of the Year 2017 is what really counts with a record (and remarkable) 8.77 million votes cast, an increase of 1.6 million over 2016.
Cash for clout. Austrian prosecutors investigate FIFA vote-buying allegations
January 11 – FIFA has become embroiled in yet another unwanted potential scandal after Austrian prosecutors revealed they were investigating the head of the country’s national federation (OeFB) Leo Windtner (pictured) over a payment from FIFA in the build-up to Sepp Blatter’s re-election as president in 2015.
English FA unveil new £180m funding package. Wembley debt will be paid off by 2024
January 11 – The English FA has unveiled a package of new financing that centres around increasing investment in the English game from to £123 million to £180 million. The FA also said that it will have paid off its Wembley National Stadium debt by the end of 2024.
Calm after the storm. EU cosies up to FIFA for governance love-in
By Andrew Warshaw
January 11 – Little more than a month after the Council of Europe issued a scathing attack on FIFA’s governance, the two organisations have agreed to work closer together and strengthen co-operation.
Man Utd and Sevilla go to war over ticket prices for Champions League last-16 clash
January 11 – Manchester United and Sevilla are locked in a bitter ticket war over their forthcoming Champions League last-16 clash with the Spanish club saying they will report United to UEFA for not offering their fans enough seats.
VAR to be key item on IFAB agenda at Zurich rulemakers’ powow
January 11 – The use of video assistant referees, which made its debut in English football this week, is the main topic of discussion at the rescheduled business meeting of the International FA Board (IFAB), guardians of the game, on January 22.
CAF inspection team heads for Cameroon to examine 2019 AFCON credentials
January 11 – The Confederation of African football CAF has sent an inspection team to Cameroon to assess the preparations for the 2019 African Cup of Nations. In the past CAF president Ahmad Ahmad has repeatedly cast doubt over Cameroon’s credentials to stage the tournament.