James Dostoyevsky: There is a case to suspend Israel from all football
For more than two months, the world has been watching with horror and incredulity how civilians are being slaughtered in Gaza.
Albania gives diplomatic passports to national team as reward for qualifying for Euro 2024
December 22 – The Albanian government has decided to reward all players and coaches of the Albanian national team with diplomatic passports.
AFC launches new reform initiative as exco recognises rise of Saudi and expresses Palestine solidarity
December 22 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced it will establish a new Reform Taskforce to continue and build on the reforms of 2016.
Dream Asia Foundation board notes impact across continent with focus on safeguarding
December 22 – The AFC has reaffirmed its commitment to expand its social development programmes via its Dream Asia Foundation aimed at empowering the continent’s most vulnerable communities.
European Court rules blocking of European Super League broke EU competition law
By Andrew Warshaw
December 21 – In a bombshell decision that could have significant ramifications, the European Court of Justice ruled today that UEFA and FIFA broke EU competition rules by attempting to block the seemingly doomed breakaway Super League.
Saudi FA boss Yasser Al-Misehal says it is ‘important’ LGBTQ+ fans feel safe at 2034 World Cup
December 21 – Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) president Yasser Al-Misehal has said that ‘Everyone will be welcome’, including LGBTQ+ fans, at the 2034 World Cup, a tournament FIFA is set to formally award to the Arab Kingdom next year.
UK government wants Premier League to cut the volume of gambling ads
December 21 – The UK government’s Culture, Media, and Sport Committee is urging the Premier League and sports governing bodies to slash the volume of gambling ads within stadiums to protect children from exposure to betting logos and subsequent gambling.
Russian FA votes to stay in UEFA rather than seek to join the AFC
December 21 – The Russian Football Association has voted against leaving UEFA to join the Asian Football Confederation despite its teams having been banned over the conflict in Ukraine.
Alves rape trial date set for February
December 21 – Brazil and Barcelona star Dani Alves’ trial for alleged sexual assault will start February 5.
Klopp calls on Anfield crowd to up their game for Arsenal visit, or stay away
December 21 – Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has told any supporter “not in the right shape” for Saturday’s top-of-the-table Premier League encounter with leaders Arsenal to give their ticket to someone else as the Anfield crowd disappointed again last night.
Size matters? TSG Hoffenheim top ranking of world’s tallest teams
December 21 – The CIES Football Observatory has revealed the tallest and shortest teams in world football in its latest study, which ranks the clubs in 53 leagues around the world according to the average size of the line-ups fielded in the current or last completed season.
Former Sheffield Utd wannabe Dozy Mmobuosi wakes up to billion dollar SEC fraud complaint
By Paul Nicholson
December 21 – The Nigerian businessman who was the preferred bidder for Sheffield United as they journeyed to England’s Premier League is facing multiple fraud charges from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for billions of dollars of fictitious transactions.
USSF tells MLS that US Open Cup remains for first teams only
December 21 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has been told by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) that its clubs can only play first teams in the country’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Slovenian women’s team wins equal pay deal after summer of discontent
December 12 – The Slovenian women’s national team has achieved equal pay with the country’s men’s team, Fifpro said on Wednesday.
FIFA’s Wenger rejects concerns over player welfare as he bangs drum for Club World Cup
December 20 – FIFA’s head of global football development, Arsene Wenger, has backed plans for an expanded Club World Cup from 2025 and downplayed concerns about overload and player welfare.