Botafogo, back in Brazil’s top flight, secure 30-year tenure at Olympic Stadium
December 21 – Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo will keep playing at the Olympic Stadium until 2051 after renewing the venue’s concession.
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
Belgian Pro League chair Croonen quits saying the club-league tightrope walk is too difficult
December 21 – Peter Croonen (pictured) has stepped down as chairman of the Belgian Pro League after a dispute over the domestic calendar with Racing Genk, the club he also chairs.
AstroPay expands Burnley deal to women’s shirt sponsorship
December 21 – Premier League Burnley’s sleeve sponsor AstroPay, has added the short sponsorship of the club’s women’s team to its assets, as well as taking a sponsorship of the dugouts at Turf Moor.
Spurs’ Euro campaign over as UEFA rule they must forfeit Rennes tie
December 20 – Tottenham Hotspur have been eliminated from the Europa Conference League after UEFA ruled their postponed fixture against Rennes would be deemed as forfeited.
Clubs convened for Covid calendar crisis confab
December 20 – Premier League clubs were convening today to discuss the Covid-19 crisis engulfing the competition that saw six out of 10 games called off over the weekend.
AFCON uncertainty over Infantino’s backing of player withdrawals and CWC date clash
December 20 – Fresh uncertainty has emerged over whether next month’s African Nations Cup in Cameroon will take place following claims that FIFA president Gianni Infantino has intervened.
Arab Cup: Algeria beat Tunisia to complete successful Qatar 2022 test
By Samindra Kunti in Al Khor, Qatar
December 20 – In an all-North African final, Algeria defeated Tunisia 2-0 with extra-time goals from Amir Sayoud and Yacine Brahimi to claim their first Arab Cup, a tournament that served as a dress rehearsal for World Cup hosts Qatar.
Shaikh Salman says Arab Cup showed Qatar will showcase best of Asia and Arab world
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”.
NWSL expands season to 132-game schedule, keeps Challenge Cup openers
December 20 – The National Women’s Soccer League has unveiled a 132-game preliminary competition framework for its 10th anniversary season.
Ronaldo takes control at Brazil’s Cruzeiro with $70m investment
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.
Kompany walks out after ‘monkey’ abuse at Brugges vs Anderlecht clash
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.
UEFA certified as Equal-Salary employer
December 20 – UEFA has been certified as an EQUAL-SALARY employer, the first sports organisation to do so.
Abramovich Brexited: Chelsea owner granted EU citizenship in Portugal
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.
Report says biennial WC would kill €2.5bn+ of European revenue. FIFA says its for the fans
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.
Premier League calls in clubs for covid crisis talks as weekend fixtures halved
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.