December 20 – As the Arab Cup completed at the weekend, AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa declared that Qatar was “more than ready” to stage the 2022 World Cup that would showcase “the true spirit of our Asian and Arab hospitality”.
December 20 – The National Women’s Soccer League has unveiled a 132-game preliminary competition framework for its 10th anniversary season.
December 20 – Brazilian legend and Real Sociedad owner Ronaldo has obtained a controlling stake in his old club Cruzeiro, which has been struggling in the second division of the Brazilian game.
December 20 – In the latest controversy to hit the Belgian domestic league, Anderlecht coach Vincent Kompany has slammed the racist comments during his side’s 2-2 with Club Brugge.
December 20 – UEFA has been certified as an EQUAL-SALARY employer, the first sports organisation to do so.
December 20 – Billionaire oligarch and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has become an EU citizen, three years after withdrawing his application for a UK visa amid diplomatic tensions between London and Moscow.
By Paul Nicholson
December 17 – Ahead of FIFA’s much vaunted Global Summit on the Future of Football – that will focus on the international calendar and in particular FIFA’s proposal for a biennial World Cup – a report has been released that predicts if FIFA’s proposals were implemented, Europe’s federations would lose revenues of €2.5 – 3 billion over a four-year cycle.
December 17 – Premier League clubs will meet for urgent talks on Monday to discuss the escalating crisis caused by the new coronavirus variant that has decimated this weekend’s league programme.
December 17 – UEFA have opened the bidding for the 2032 European Championships and have confirmed it will run alongside 2028, with hosts for both being chosen at the same time in a radical change from past practice.
December 17 – The on-going saga of the sale of Derby County is throwing up a number of potential takeover names but one bidding group in particular is starting to catch the eye, at least from a good governance perspective.
December 17 – Italy and England were drawn in the same Nations League group Thursday, setting up two mouth-watering rematches next year of their European Championship final.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha, Qatar
December 17 – North Africa’s domination of the FIFA Arab Cup will culminate on Saturday with either Tunisia or Algeria lifting the cup.
December 17 – Another appalling case of alleged football-related sexual abuse has been exposed, this time in an Africa’s Gabon.
December 17 – Is Lionel Messi really the best outfield player in the world or is it in fact Real Madrid central defender David Alaba?
December 17 – To facilitate the winter World Cup in 2022, the Major League Soccer season will kick off earlier, with the curtain raiser slated for February.