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,
January 25 – The AFC has renewed and expanded its deal with video game maker Konami Digital Entertainment across national team and club competitions for the 2021-2024 rights cycle.
January 25 – David Beckham insists that his former England and Manchester United teammate Phil Neville was appointed as Inter Miami head coach since he is “the right man for the job” rather than anything to do with their friendship.
January 25 – Amid ongoing and intensifying speculation over a European Super League, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called for a reduction in the number of clubs in the Premier League and English Football League to improve the quality of competition.
January 25 – Manchester City has signed a global partnership with Chinese LED displays solution provider Unilumin Sports, focussed on its pitchside LED solutions.
By Paul Nicholson
January 22 – New detail of the proposed European super league, to be funded via a £3.5 billion start-up fund led by JP Morgan, has leaked including that 12 clubs would automatically qualify for FIFA’s new 24-team Club World Cup.
January 22 – The European Commission has added its name to mounting opposition to the creation of a breakaway super league that is gathering momentum across the continent.
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.
January 22 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter spent a week in an induced coma after having heart surgery in December, his family has revealed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January 22 – Poland will be coached by former Portuguese international Paulo Sousa (pictured) at the delayed Euro 2020 finals this year.
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.