AFC draws groups for U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024; Japan hunt 7th title
December 18 – The AFC has drawn groups for the 8-team finals of the U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024 that will be played March 3 to 16, 2024.
Ankaragucu’s hard-hitting president Faruk Koca banned for life
December 15 – The former president of Turkish top flight club Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca, has been handed a permanent ban by the Turkish Football Federation for punching a referee that has drawn widespread revulsion.
Azadi stadium opened to Iranian women for Persepolis-Esteghlal
December 15 – Female fans in Iran have claimed a moral victory after being allowed to venture inside the Azadi Stadium in Tehran to attend Thursday’s eagerly anticipated clash between Persepolis FC and Esteghlal FC.
Infantino defends 2030 and 2034 World Cup decisions as ‘the best FIFA can do’
December 15 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the 2030 and 2034 World Cup bidding processes as “the best FIFA can do for football, covering the entire world in only eight years”.
Premier League to debut first female ref, Rebecca Welch
December 15 – Rebecca Welch will make history when she becomes the first female referee to take charge of a Premier League match on December 23 when Fulham take on Burnley.
FIFA stick with Panini deal through to 2030
December 15 – FIFA and Panini have extended their long-standing licensing and sponsorship partnership in a deal which will see the global brand remain FIFA’s exclusive partner for official stickers, trading cards, trading-card games and digital collectibles.
VAR error contributed to Espanyol regulation, rules Spanish court
December 15 – In a rare case of seeking justice for a wrong VAR decision, a Spanish judge has ruled in favour of Espanyol whose relegation in May was partly precipitated by a ‘ghost’ goal scored by opponents Atletico Madrid.
Messi’s 2022 World Cup shirts auctioned for $7.8m
December 15 – Lionel Messi’s set of six match-worn shirts form the 2022 FIFA World Cup has sold for a record-breaking $7.8 million at an auction hosted by Sotheby’s in New York.
Spanish dominate women’s Best nominees; can Haaland wrestle men’s award off Messi?
December 15 – FIFA has announced the final nominees for The Best FIFA Women’s Player and The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards ahead of the 2023 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards ahead of the ceremony next month.
Agents bank a record $881m in 2023 as court rulings give them protection from FIFA fee regulation
December 15 – Player agents fees reached a record $881.million in 2023, a massive 42.5% increase in the $623.2 million paid to agents in 2022. The previous record for agents fees was set in 2019 ($654.7 million).
AFC draws groups for Futsal Asian Cup in Thailand. Uzbekistan to host world finals
December 15 – Japan will begin the defence of their AFC Futsal Asian Cup title in the same group as their old rivals South Korea. Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic will be their opponents in Group C.
Turkish SuperLig to return Dec. 19 after attack on referee Meler; government reviews sports laws
December 14 – The Turkish FA (TFF) have said that all its football leagues will resume play on December 19 after matches in Turkey were postponed indefinitely following the assault by Ankaragücü president Faruk Koca on referee Halil Umut Meler after the end of the Rizespor match.
UEFA bans Legia Warsaw fans for five matches after Villa violence
December 14 – Legia Warsaw have been banned from selling tickets to their travelling fans for five European away games as a result of the violent scenes that marred their recent Europa Conference League defeat at Aston Villa.
FIFA’s referee boss Collina says violence against officals is a ‘cancer’ killing the game
December 14 – FIFA’s top refereeing administrator, former World Cup official Pierluigi Collina (pictured), has hit out at last Monday’s attack on Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler that made global headlines.
Peru fire Reynoso after poor start sees them bottom of Conmebol 2026 qualifying
December 14 – Peru have dismissed their coach Juan Reynoso following a disappointing start to their 2026 World Cup qualifiers campaign.