FIFA Best awards programmed for January in London
December 11 – London will host The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 on January 15, 2024.
Messi’s Inter Miami rack up the air miles with pre-season Hong Kong stop added to El Salvador match
December 11 – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami didn’t make manage to make it to Asia for a close season lap of China, but they are now planning a pre-season Far East trip with the first announced fixture being against a Hong Kong XI in February.
Teixeira returns to helm Santos in bid to return to Brazil’s Serie A
December 10 – Marcelo Teixeira has been elected the new president of Santos as the club comes to terms with future life in the second tier of Brazilian football.
Court removes Brazil’s Rodrigues from CBF leadership
December 8 – Ednaldo Rodrigues has been removed from his post as the boss of Brazilian football following a court order, prompting a new crisis at the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF).
Saudi sports minister rejects sportswashing allegations, inviting critics to take a closer look
December 8 – Saudi Arabia’s sports minister has rejected claims of ‘sportswashing’ against his country and, just like Qatar before last year’s tournament, has defended the Saudis’ right to stage the World Cup.
French attempt to crackdown on violence with series of away fan travel bans
December 8 – More away fans are being banned from attending matches in France after the death of a supporter in Nantes last weekend prompted authorities to call for a crackdown on violence.
Prosecutors seek 4-year doping ban for Pogba
December 8 – Anti-doping prosecutors in Italy have requested a maximum four-year ban for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba after the French 2018 World Cup winner tested positive for testosterone.
Liverpool rolls out the barrel with a 10-year Carlsberg extension
December 8 – Liverpool FC has extended its long-term partnership with Carlsberg, which will see the Danish Brewer remain the Reds’ Official beer until the end of the 2033/34 season.
Man Utd’s Fernandes tops ranking of most time played in 2023
December 8 – Manchester United Captain Bruno Fernandes is Europe’s most ‘active’ outfield player, according to the latest study conducted by the CIES Football Observatory.
AFC launches eAsian Cup to be played in parallel with Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in January
December 8 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will launch the inaugural AFC eAsian Cup, the AFC’s first esports tournament, coinciding with the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in January.
ECA rival UEC gets membership boost with 34 English clubs joining via Fair Game partnership
December 12 – The Union of European Clubs (UEC) has received a membership boost after 34 clubs from England and Wales joined following a partnership with Fair Game, the union announced on Friday.
Saudis will not just be building stadia for 2034, they are building cities to put them in
December 8 – Saudi Arabia, the only bid for the hosting of the 2034 World Cup, will have not only a new stadium but a whole new entertainment-focussed city to host matches at the finals.
Groups drawn for Copa America 2024 in the US
December 8 – World Cup 2022 winners Argentina will face Peru, Chile and a Concacaf qualifier in the group stages of their defense of their Copa America title in the USA next summer.
Matic tells youth to steer clear of Red Star and Partizan, the ‘viruses’ of Serbian football
December 8 – Former Serbian Manchester United star Nemanja Matic (pictured) has launched another attack on Serbian football, its president Dragan Džajić, and the country’s biggest clubs – Red Star Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade – who he calls the “viruses” of Serbian football.
Saudi Arabia build out women’s national teams with launch of U20s under Pauline Hamil
December 8 –Saudi Arabian focus may be on the hosting of their first major FIFA event starting next week – the 2023 Club World Cup – but the Kingdom has still found time to announce the launch of a Women’s U20 national team.