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.
December 22 – Australian football has been forced to reshuffle the opening rounds of matches of the new A-League following a Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney, with almost half of the first 35 games to be rescheduled for a later date.
December 21 – South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai defeated Iran’s Persepolis 2-1, coming from behind, to win the Asian Champions League for a second time, wrapping up an edition that was derailed by the coronavirus pandemic before Qatar stepped in to stage matches from the east and west zone as well as the competition’s knockout phase.
December 21 – French football is still counting the cost of the loss of the Mediapro broadcast deal that has plunged a raft of clubs, already hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, into further financial disarray.
December 21 – Premier League Leeds United are selling a further 15% stake to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers in a deal that will reportedly value the club at £240 million, and take their stake to 25%.
December 21 – Tigres UANL and Los Angeles FC will close off Concacaf’s disrupted 2020 competition season with the final of 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on Tuesday (December 22).
December 21 – England international forward Marcus Rashford, who famously forced the British government into a u-turn with his calls for free school meals to children from low-income families, has collected a special individual honour as a result of his work to raise awareness.
December 21 – With the debate over both concussion and dementia intensifying, the family of former England 1966 World Cup-winning midfielder Nobby Stiles say they have been told his brain was severely damaged by repeated heading of the ball.
December 21 – Xavi’s Al Sadd won the Amir Cup for a record 17th time defeating Al Arabia 2-1 to inaugurate the Al Rayyan Stadium, the fourth 2022 World Cup venue to be completed.
December 21 – City Football Group clubs Manchester City and Melbourne City have partnered with Animoca Brands for a range of new digital games and collectibles.
December 21 – Rafael Leao scored the fastest goal in Serie A history – and across Europe’s top leagues – as AC Milan netted after just six seconds at Sassuolo on Sunday.
December 21 – Paris St Germain manager Thomas Tuchel (pictured) has questioned the absence of Marquinhos from last week’s FIFA XI Team of the Year, claiming that the Brazilian should have been included.
December 21 – Premier League Everton have traded on their Colombian links of James Rodriguez and Yerry Mina with the club’s first sponsorship from the country.
December 18 – Russia’s participation in the 2022 World Cup has been plunged into jeopardy after a landmark ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) banning the country from using its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or any world championships for the next two years.
December 18 – Al Sadd and Al Arabi will meet tonight in the final of the Amir Cup to inaugurate the Al Rayyan Stadium, one of eight venues for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
By Paul Nicholson
December 18 – The Premier League has renewed its broadcast rights partnership with beIN SPORTS for the Middle East and North Africa region for a new three-year terms running through to 2025.