FIFA to trial concussion subs at Club World Cup in Feb; 5 subs rule remains
January 8 – FIFA has broken new ground by announcing it will trial concussion substitutes at next year’s Club World Cup in Qatar.
Gold Cup 2025
Mexico open Gold Cup defence against aspiring Dominican Republic
June 13 – Mexico approach the 2025 Gold Cup with typical confidence, having secured early silverware through March’s Concacaf Nations League triumph – a psychological boost that sets them up beautifully for the right to be called Kings of the Region.
Benzema to face trial in France over sex-tape blackmail case
January 8 – Real Madrid and former French international forward Karim Benzema will face trial for his alleged involvement in the attempted sex-tape blackmail of former teammate Mathieu Valbuena, prosecutors in Versailles have finally confirmed several years after the story broke.
Blatter hospitalised, family say health is improving
January 8 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter is recovering after being rushed to hospital, but his life is not in danger according to Swiss media.
World Cup 2026 to stay on proven TV channels in Nordic countries
January 8 – FIFA has stuck with traditional broadcast channels and in particular state-owned terrestrial channels with the award of the 2026 World Cup broadcast rights in each of the Nordic territories: DR and TV2 in Denmark, YLE and MTV in Finland, TV2 and NRK in Norway, and SVT and TV4 in Sweden.
Cinch looks for traffic as it parks logo on Spurs’ sleeve
January 8 – Tottenham Hotspur have unveiled a multi-year deal for their first sleeve sponsorship. Online car retail platform cinch will become the club’s Official Sleeve Partner, starting with this weekend’s matches.
Cut the kissing, stop the spread. PFA boss warns players to tone down goal celebrations
January 8 – The head of the union representing English professional players says its members are potentially putting others at risk in the way they celebrate goals and has urged them to act sensibly amid a spike in Covid-19 cases that has led to a third nationwide lockdown.
England’s Covid chaos leaves FA Cup schedule in need of a ventilator
January 8 – The mouth-watering FA Cup clash between Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Liverpool tonight has been hugely diluted because of a “significant” Covid-19 outbreak at the host club.
(White boy) Cavani not a racist though ‘negrito’ post was ‘racially offensive’, says FA
January 8 – Manchester United’s Uruguayan international striker Edinson Cavani was not intentionally racist in the Instagram post that brought him a three-match suspension.
Apollon FC gives crypto Fan Token holders right to pick next season’s kit
January 8 – Cypriot top flight club Apollon FC are giving their fans the opportunity to vote on the club’s Puma kit for the 2021/22 season. Earlier this season the club gave the fans the chance to select the starting 11 for a friendly against Aris Limassol.
AFC unveils extended 2023 Asian Cup dates to cope with Chinese travel
January 7 – The 2023 Asian Cup, the region’s flagship competition for national teams, will take place in China between June 16 and July 16 across 10 cities – its longest ever edition.
Copa Libertadores: Palmeiras and Santos have edge over Argentine rivals in first leg ties
January 7 – Palmeiras and Santos are in control of their own destinies in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals after the Sao Paulo clubs successfully navigated tricky away legs in Argentina.
Anderlecht reshuffle as Van Eetvelt quits debt-challenged club
January 7 – Karel Van Eetvelt will leave Anderlecht as CEO on April 1 in a new boardroom shuffle at the heavily indebted Brussels-based club.
Rashford tops transfer value ranking at €165m, Alexander-Arnold top ranked defender
January 7 – Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has topped a ranking of the player transfer values at €165 million, knocking PSG’s Kylian Mbappé (€149.4 million) off the top.
FA Cup vs Covid. England’s oldest competition battles world’s newest virus
January 7 – The much-chronicled effects of coronavirus on the English Premier League is set to take its toll on the third round of the FA Cup – traditionally one of the highlights of the season – when the country’s top clubs join the competition this weekend.
Man Utd and Liverpool’s fake millions. Are Instagram accounts inflating social media values?
January 7 – Social media numbers often look astronomic with European clubs in particular selling marketing packages based on millions of followers, likes and interactions. But how good are these numbers?