Ligue 1 leaders Lille pushed into Christmas sale to Callisto Sporting
December 23 – French Ligue 1 leaders Lille have been sold to a Callisto Sporting, a subsidiary of Luxembourg-based investment fund Merlyn Partners.
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.
Barca presidential hopeful Farre, puts reuniting Messi and Neymar on his agenda
December 23 – Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Farre says he plans to try and re-unite Lionel Messi and Neymar if he lands the job in succession to Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Bayern profits down by €40m but revenue buoyed by Champions League win
December 23 – German giants Bayern Munich – who will go for the treble of national, European and World titles in the same season at the delayed Club World Cup next February – have released financial results for the 2019/20 season showing a revenue drop €52 million.
Patel stays on in India, but only until Supreme Court rules on reform
December 23 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has extended the terms of its executive committee until the supreme court delivers a ruling on both the framing of a new constitution and election process for the governing body. Current president Praful Patel has said that he will not contest future elections.
Does Man City thrashing mean its the firing squad next for Gunners’ manager Arteta?
December 23 – He was hired as the man to finally turn things around in the post-Arsene Wenger era. Instead they are going from bad to worse.
Qatar to showcase three venues for February Club World Cup
December 23 – With two World Club Cups to be hosted in Qatar in 2021, venues for the 7-team format have been chosen for the first edition in February 1-11.
Messi beats Pele’s record with 644th Barca goal
December 23 – Lionel Messi has cemented his place as one of the sport’s greatest ever icons by breaking Pele’s goalscoring record for a single club.
FIFA delves into history to file new criminal complaint to beat Blatter with
By Paul Nicholson
December 22 – The day after his election to the FIFA presidency in May 2016, Gianni Infantino attended his first official public function in Zurich at the opening of the CHF 140 million ($158 million) FIFA Museum project.
Rate of positive football anti-doping samples holds steady in 2019 at just over 3 per 1000
By David Owen
December 22 – Football remains anything but a doping blackspot, assuming official statistics offer a reliable guide.
Real Madrid’s Perez says a breakaway European Super League is evolution
December 22 – Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (pictured) has once again provocatively called for the formation of a European Super League.
FIFA’s setting of Ivory Coast election rules could scupper Anouma’s CAF bid
December 22 – Reports in the Ivory Coast suggest FIFA is preparing to make public its ruling on the electoral process for the presidency of the country’s football federation (FIF), a move that could have serious consequences for Jacques Anouma’s bid for control of African football.
Mönchengladbach’s Thuram banned for spitting in opponent’s face
December 22 – Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram has been banned for five games for spitting in the face of a Hoffenheim opponent in the Bundesliga.
Upbeat Messi blames his early season form on Barca uncertainty
December 22 – Lionel Messi says his failed attempt to leave Barcelona in the summer has affected his form this season.
EFL pushes League Cup final back to April in hope more fans can attend
December 22 – The EFL has pushed its League Cup final back from February to April in the hope that more fans will be able to attend its Wembley showpiece event in London.
Covid second wave bites deep but Premier League vigilence keeps show on the road
December 22 – The English Premier League has confirmed seven new positive coronavirus tests in its latest round of testing conducted between December 14-20 on 1,569 Premier League players and staff.