Added groups, extra teams, new countries: AFC expands its Champions League
January 22 – The AFC will draw the group stages for its expanded Champions League and AFC Cup competitions next week (January 27) in Kuala Lumpur at AFC headquarters.
Win win for Blatter as he comes off critical list after a week in coma and Swiss drop criminal case
January 22 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter spent a week in an induced coma after having heart surgery in December, his family has revealed.
Le Graët to seek fourth term as president of French federation
January 22 – Noël Le Graët, president of the French Football Federation since 2011, has finally made up his mind and has agreed to stand for a fourth term.
Anfield rattled: Burnley end Liverpool’s unbeaten 68-game home run
January 22 – One of the most formidable records in English football came to a sudden and unexpected halt on Thursday night when Liverpool’s 68-match unbeaten home streak in the Premier League ended with a shock 1-0 loss to lowly Burnley, the latest setback of a rapidly fading title defence.
Villa and Saints keep player rotation to minimum as Newcastle’s revolving door keeps spinning
January 22 – Aston Villa (87%) and Southampton (85%) are the two clubs handing the eleven most fielded players the most playing time according to the CIES Football Observatory.
Battle of Buenos Aires: Lanus and Defensa y Justicia line up for Copa Sudamerica final
January 22 – On Saturday, Argentine clubs Lanus and Defensa y Justicia will contest the 2020 Copa Sudamericana final behind closed doors in Cordoba, the first continental final in South America since the coronavirus pandemic.
Seven League digital report predicts key trends for 2021
January 22 – Digital sports consultancy Seven League has released the third annual edition of its ‘seven key trends’ report that focuses on key areas of impact it expects to see in the digital sports landscape in 2021.
Poland bring in Paula Sousa to lead national team into Euros
January 22 – Poland will be coached by former Portuguese international Paulo Sousa (pictured) at the delayed Euro 2020 finals this year.
FIFA warn clubs and players joining European Super League would be World Cup banned
By Andrew Warshaw
January 21 – In a rare collective show of strength, FIFA and its six individual confederations have threatened a World Cup ban on players who take part in any proposed European Super League – and have been simultaneously backed by Europe’s leagues.
FIFA reboots Pakistan Normalisation Committee with new staff and June deadline
By Paul Nicholson
January 21 – FIFA has replaced three of the four members its Normalisation Committee running football in Pakistan in a bid to bring “fresh impetus” to the process of getting the federation compliant with FIFA regulations and organise new elections.
Premier League greenlights concussion subs from next week
January 21 – The English Premier League is making a head start on everyone else by becoming the first competition to approve permanent concussion substitutes from next week.
Real Madrid knocked out of Spanish Cup by third-tier giantkillers Alcoyano
January 21 – Rotation can backfire. An understrength Real Madrid crashed out of the Spanish Cup in the round of 32 at the hands of third-division club Alcoyano on Wednesday, increasing pressure on French coach Zinedine Zidane.
Egypt’s Mansour Group inject £100m for control of Right To Dream
January 21 – Egypt’s Mansour Group have acquired a majority stake in Right To Dream, the company behind Danish top flight club FC Nordsjaelland.
Amnesty and English FA issue training guide to opening up game to refugee women
January 21 – Amnesty International UK have joined with the English Football Association in issuing a free guide and online training series which aims to increase refugee women’s participation in grassroots football.
Club World Cup draw pitches AFC and Concacaf champions in first round battle
January 21 – The first of this year’s two Club World Cups in Qatar will kick off February 4 with Concacaf champions Tigres UANL Mexico facing the AFC’s Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai from South Korea.