England hammer 20 past Latvia to set new scoring record
December 1 – England bettered Belgium’s 19-0 victory against Armenia with 20 goals of their own against Latvia to set a new European record in Women’s World Cup qualifying.
Aussie women’s A-League secures Liberty as naming rights partner
December 1 – Australia’s A-Leagues have signed financial lender Liberty as the naming rights partner of its A-League Women’s competition with the deal starting with the season start this Friday (December 3).
Udinese celebrate 125th with extended Macron deal
December 1 – Udinese, celebrating their 125th birthday yesterday, announced the extension of their kit partnership with Macron through to June 2025.
AFC boosts its competitiveness with major changes to season calendar and foreign player rules
By Paul Nicholson
November 30 – The AFC has taken major steps to opening up its club competitions with a relaxation of foreign player rules and a realignment of its calendar which will switch from the calendar year to the European model of playing from Autumn to Spring.
Omicron variant ripped through team to trigger the Belenenses vs Benfica fiasco
November 30 – All 13 cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Portugal involved players and staff of top division Belenenses, one of whose players recently returned from South Africa, according to health authorities.
Man City join with Sony for a first trip to the ‘metaverse’
November 30 – Sony has become a new global partner of Manchester City in a deal that will see the creation of new digital content experiences for fans as they step into the ‘metaverse’ of the Etihad Stadium.
Qatar set for Arab Cup kick off and another test of 2022 readiness
November 30 – Mauritania and Tunisia kick off the FIFA Arab Cup tonight, a tournament that will serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2022 World Cup organisers.
CWC draw lines up potential Chelsea vs Al Hilal and Palmeiras vs Monterrey semis
November 30 – FIFA has held the draw for the seven-team Club World Cup 2021 in the UAE that will open on February 3 with local team Al Jazira against the OFC’s Auckland City FC from New Zealand.
FIFA tightens grip on Africa with normalisation committees in Chad and Guinea
November 30 – FIFA has appointed normalisation committees in Chad and Guinea, the latest two African countries unable to run their own footballing affairs. The FIFA-appointed officials will oversee elections in both national associations.
Interim Rangnick signs up for 3-year Man Utd project
November 30 – Eight days after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United have formally confirmed that Ralf Rangnick (pictured) will be their interim manager until the end of the season.
Qatar to host OFC nations for centralised 2022 World Cup qualifying
November 30 – Qatar will host the 2022 Oceania World Cup qualifiers featuring eight participants following the withdrawal of both Samoa and American Samoa, FIFA have announced.
FIFA trialling Arab Cup with new semi-automated VAR system
November 30 – The use of technology to help officials detect offside more accurately is being trialled at the Arab Cup, which starts today in Qatar.
Head thinking: UEFA draws up concussion charter
November 30 – European governing body UEFA has drawn up a concussion charter to educate stakeholders in the game and promote good concussion management.
Third Norwegian journalist detained in Qatar
November 30 – In the build-up to the 2022 World Cup and with press coverage intensifying on the hosts Qatar, a third Norwegian journalist has been arrested in the country but later released without charge.
Infantino gets backing of African pals for game-changing biennial world cup plan
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – Bruised by the generally lukewarm response to his case for the World Cup to be held every two years, Gianni Infantino now claims opponents of the idea are scared of change.