Worst World Cup referees ever. Officials under fire for series of shocking failures
By Andrew Warshaw
December 12 – Referees are invariably lambasted at various stages during major competitions. It goes with the territory.
Should I stay or should I go: Southgate has emotional clash over England future
December 12 – As England lick their wounds after falling just short for the third tournament in a row, manager Gareth Southgate is pondering whether to stay on in the role.
Saudi Arabia continues to build partnerships with Ghana FA hook-up
December 12 – The increasingly fast-moving Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF) has signed another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with another international federations, this time with the Ghana FA.
SIGA heads launch of Sport Transparency Index to rank clubs, leagues and governing bodies
December 12 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), has announced the launch of a Sports Transparencey Index which will rank and compare base transparency levels between clubs, leagues, national associations and governing bodies.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid looks set to lose Whalefin crypto sponsorships
December 12 – The crypto winter has taken another casualty with Chelsea sleeve sponsor Amber Group, who display their Whalefin logo, reportedly ending their £20 million-a-year deal just seven months after it started.
Team Base Camps confirmed for Australia and New Zealand 2023 WWC
December 12 – While the Qatar 2022 men’s World Cup is at semi-final stage, the 2023 World Cup has reached base camp – 29 of them.
Brazil betting sponsorship booming as Pixibet adds Corinthians
December 12 –Brazil-focussed online bookmaker Pixbet has added another top flight club, agreeing a three-year sponsorship with Sao Paulo giants Corinthians.
‘Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose’. Tite quits Brazil after Croatia loss
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 11 – Brazil coach Tite has stepped down following his team’s heartbreaking quarter-final elimination on penalties by Croatia, but he refused to accept criticism that the Seleçao conceded a crucial late equaliser in extra-time because of disorganisation.
US journalist Grant Wahl dies on the beat, aged 48
December 11 – American journalist, Grant Wahl, 48, passed away after collapsing during the World Cup quarter-final between Argentina – the Netherlands in the press box of Lusail Stadium.
Qataris and FIFA brush off another worker death accusing world media of a ‘false narrative’
December 9 – Dismissing the death of a migrant worker from the Philippines at Saudi Arabia’s training resort in Qatar, World Cup boss Nasser Al Khater has said: “Death is a natural part of life, whether at work, whether in your sleep.”
Under fire Warner battles to retain control of Trinidad Centre of Excellence
December 9 – The walls are closing in on former FIFA vice president and Concacaf president Jack Warner. Having lost his appeal against extradition to the US, earlier this week he lost a first round legal battle with Concacaf over a long running dispute concerning the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Trinidad.
Wenger goes cold on biennial World Cup but warms to winter editions
December 9 – Having championed staging the World Cup every two years, FIFA’s director of development Arsene Wenger now appears to be backtracking over the idea.
AFC moves Champions League west zone dates back as it transitions to new calendar
December 9 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has moved its AFC Champions League 2022 Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-final centralised matches in the West region as well as the two-legged Final.
Hopfen quits Bundesliga over strategy, club execs Hellman and Leki drafted in interim
December 9 – Donata Hopfen, CEO of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, will quit her role at the end of the year, being replaced on an interim basis by two Bundesliga club execs, Axel Hellmann and Oliver Leki.