EML and REPX open in Serie A with prepaid card deal at Roma
January 10 – Pre-paid credit card specialists EML Payments has signed an exclusive sponsorship with AS Roma, its first step into the football sponsorship market.
Coventry United women saved by last minute buyer, but points deduction stands
January 10 – The fragility of the finances in the lower tier of the women’s professional game were demonstrated last week with the last-minute takeover of Coventry United Ladies, who play in the FA Women’s Championship.
English politicos go cold on ‘vanity’ 2030 World Cup bid but look to Euro 2028
By Andrew Warshaw
January 7 – A leading English parliamentarian has called on the UK and Republic of Ireland to abandon their interest in jointly staging the 2030 World Cup and instead focus on hosting the Euros two years earlier in 2028.
Vinicius is world’s most valuable player. Foden, Haaland and Greenwood make up top four
January 7 – Move over Neymar and Mbappe. Real Madrid and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior is the most valuable player in the world according to the latest player transfer valuations by the CIES Football Observatory.
Ajax abandon training camp as covid spread decimates winter breaks
January 7 – Ajax Amsterdam have abandoned their training camp in Portugal following an outbreak of coronavirus infections. They follow in the footstep of PSV, Feyenoord and a slate of Belgian clubs who decided to cancel their winter camps altogether.
AFC kicks Iranian giants Persepolis and Esteghlal out of Champions League
January 7 – Top Iranian sides Iran sides Persepolis and Esteghlal have been kicked out of the Asian Champions League after having their licenses withdrawn by the Asian Football Confederation.
Blitzer and Smith take ownership of MLS’s Real Salt Lake
January 7 – After a drawn-out sales process, Crystal Palace co-owner David Blitzer and Ryan Smith’s Smith Entertainment Group have become the new owners of Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Real Salt Lake.
Player release talking done, covid tests ongoing: Africa gets to AFCON start line
By Samindra Kunti
January 7 – Three years late and with the coronavirus crisis a major concern on the touchline, Cameroon will kick off the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil against Burkina Faso on Sunday. Defending champions Algeria and Senegal start as favourites to win the continental finals.
Inter Miami close in on Freedom Park site but still need city sign off
January 7 – MLS club Inter Miami CF look to have finally struck a deal for the site and build of a new soccer-specific stadium with the City of Miami, according to local media reports.
Sun, sand and affordable football. Club World Cup in UAE looks good for a winter break
January 7 – FIFA’s ticket sales process for the Club World Cup UAE 2021, has gone from an exclusive pre-sale window that ended today, to a last-minute ticket window opening today.
Italian covid chaos: Inter take pitch at Bologna only to walk off
January 7 – Yet another high-profile Italian fixture has descended into farce because of Covid-19 with Inter Milan’s game at Bologna called off even though the visitors had turned up to play.
Cordeiro ready to return to US Soccer with promise of equality, leadership and opportunity
By Paul Nicholson
January 6 – Former US Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro is bidding for a comeback, having announced his candidacy for the presidential elections that will be held at the USSF National Council meeting this March.
AFCON hit by new covid threat as Senegal laid low with 9 positive cases
January 6 – As many observers feared, the African Cup of Nations has been plunged into Covid chaos just days ahead of kick-off with Senegal, one of the favourites, among those worst hit.
Has Covid become a political football? Union Berlin boss thinks so
January 6 – The president of Bundesliga team Union Berlin has got tongues wagging in Germany by accusing politicians of using Covid restrictions around football to further their own agendas.
CAF agrees Umbro and TikTok deals in time for AFCON kick off
January 6 – On the eve of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has partnered with sportswear giant Umbro in a multi-year deal.