PSG and Tuchel part company as Qatari patience wears out
December 30 – He won the league in his first two seasons with the club and led them to the Champions League final last summer.
Gold Cup 2025
Pochettino happy with USA’s new-found ‘fight’ but wary of the Guatemala challenge
July 2 – Having looked like a team that were struggling to find any cohesion or common purpose after four straight losses, including a miserable performance in March at the Concacaf Nations League final, suddenly the USA look as though, if not the real deal, they are certainly worth a reappraisal.
Tigres UANL overcome LAFC to keep Concacaf Champions League title in Mexico
December 23 – Tigres UANL cemented Mexico’s domination of the Concacaf Champions League after rallying to defeat Los Angeles FC 2-1 in the tournament’s final, extending Liga MX’s winning streak in the competition to 15 years.
Maguire puts in the time to top ‘most minutes’ ranking. Messi takes third spot
December 23 – Manchester United’s centre back Harry Maguire tops a ranking of players who have played the most number of minutes in 2020. Barcelona’s old timer Lionel Messi comes third.
Blatter ‘vehemently’ denies FIFA’s criminal charges over museum project
December 23 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has dismissed allegations of criminal mismanagement relating to a museum project launched by Blatter towards the end of his tenure.
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.
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.