Pele’s health is improving, say doctors, with no new complications
December 7 – Brazil great Pele’s condition is improving in hospital, according to his doctors.
FIFA cracks down on Uruguayans behaving badly and Serbia’s anti-Kosovan politics
December 6 – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against both Uruguay and Serbia for a range of misdemeanours during their respective final group games at the World Cup which saw both countries eliminated.
Ronaldo on verge of closing €200m a year deal with Saudi club Al-Nassr
December 6 – Leading Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr have reportedly made a huge offer to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after the World Cup.
Bento quits after taking South Korea to last 16
December 6 – Following the round of 16 exit at the hands of Brazil, Paulo Bento (pictured) has stepped down from his role as South Korea coach.
Germany turn the page as Oliver Bierhoff exits national set-up
December 6 – German team director Oliver Bierhoff has become the first major casualty of their group stage World Cup humiliation after agreeing to leave his post two years before his contract ends.
Textor’s Eagle Football given final deadline to complete OL Groupe buy
December 6 – US investor John Textor and his Eagle Football Holdings group have been given until December 7 to close the deal to French Ligue1 club Olympique Lyonnaise.
Brazil turn of the style and the joy to cement their status as Qatar 2022 favourites
December 6 – Brazil danced their way to a 4-1 victory against South Korea and a last-eight encounter with Croatia after a barnstorming first half against the Asian team.
Queue jumping. Man City use WaitTime to speed up match-day experience
December 6 – Premier League Manchester City is to install an artificial intelligence platform that will provide real-time information on crowd density, traffic and movement of fans.
MUTV distribution expanded to smart TVs and key digital platforms
December 6 – Manchester United have increased the distribution of their broadcast channel making the MUTV app available on Samsung, LG and Android smart and connected TVs.
FC Barcelona extend SK Enmove deal into middle eastern territories
December 6 – Korean motor lubricant company SK Enmove has expanded is Asian regional sponsorship with FC Barcelona into the Middle East to include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
End of the road for the TTFA? Members call EGM but debt still casts life-threatening shadow
December 5 – Members of the Trinidad and Tobago FA (TTFA) have called an extraordinary general meeting in a bid to ensure the end of the Normalisation Committee currently running the game in the country.
Saudi Arabia look set to be awarded AFC Asian Cup 2027 hosting after rivals India pull out
December 5 – The Asian Cup 2027 now looks certain to be held in Saudi Arabia after India pulled out from their bid to host the AFC’s blue riband men’s national team competition.
Reduced wages help drive Arsenal to lower losses despite absence of European football
By David Owen
December 4 – Table-topping Arsenal have posted a much-needed improvement in annual financial performance, helped by the return of live spectators to Emirates Stadium and a 13% cut in the bill for wages.
FIFA-stooge Wenger holds the company line, saying early exiting teams were too focussed on ‘politics’
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 5 – FIFA’s head of global development Arsene Wenger has claimed that teams who avoided political demonstrations have played better at the World Cup, taking a swipe at Germany and Denmark. He also praised the tournament experience as “unique”.
Hospitalised Pélé thanks well wishers and says he ‘strong, with a lot of hope’
December 5 – Pélé and his doctors have reassured the public after Brazilian media had reported that the football legend was no longer responding to chemotherapy and had been moved to palliative care.