FIFA bans Niger ref Chaibou for taking multiple bribes to fix matches
January 25 – FIFA has handed a lifetime ban to Niger referee Ibrahim Chaibou for taking bribes in the latest sanction meted out to an African official.
Brazil host star studded Copa America draw as nation expects a continental triumph
By Samindra Kunti
January 25 – Hosts Brazil were handed a dream draw for the 2019 Copa America as they were paired with Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia in Group A. The Brazilians will kick off the three-week long tournament against Bolivia on June 14 in Sao Paulo.
Rescuers call off search for Sala saying survival chances are ‘extremely remote’
January 25 – Rescue workers have finally called off their search for the missing light aircraft carrying Cardiff City’s new striker Emiliano Sala to the Premier league club which says it will plan a special mark of respect next week.
Monaco suspend Thierry Henry as team hits new low
January 25 – Former France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has been suspended by Monaco and looks set to lose his job as coach after only three months in charge at the Ligue 1 club.
New York Athletic Club is venue for SIGA Sports Integrity Forum V
January 25 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has announced the New York Athletic Club, New York as the venue for the fifth edition of its Sports Integrity Forum.
Top esports players earn more than pro golfers, finds report
January 25 – The rise and rise of esports has been accompanied by a ballooning in esports player salaries. With football clubs increasingly looking to associate with competitive gamers the cost of entry is going up’
AFC ¼ final stats: UAE vs Australia head-to-head
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 25 – AFC Asian Cup 2019 hosts United Arab Emirates will face-off against Australia today at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain in the last Quarter Final encounter in this year’s continental showpiece.
AFC ¼ final stats: Qatar vs South Korea head-to-head
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 25 – World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar will take on South Korea today in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, aiming to create some history of their own history and progress to the semi-finals for the first time.
Iran raise their game a level to blow Chinese away
China 0 Iran 3
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 24 – Earlier in the Chinese dancers had put on a display of poise and elegance in the Fan Zone on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. Come the evening it was Iran’s turn to turn on the style as they terrorised China’s lead-footed defence running out 3-0 winners, setting up a semi-final clash with Japan.
Japan find a new gear to pull away from a rejuvenating Vietnam
Vietnam 0 Japan 1
January 24 – A resourceful Japan shed their conservative game plan to defeat Vietnam 1-0 and seal a spot among Asia’s four best as the newly introduced VAR headlined to disallow a goal and award penalty in the first quarterfinal of the Asian Cup.
Iran focussed on brushing aside a mis-firing China
January 24 – Having negotiated Oman in the last 16 round, Iran go into their quarter final with China as clear favourites.
Real Madrid and Barca take over as top dogs of top-line financial performance
By David Owen
January 24 – Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have taken over at the top of this year’s Deloitte Football Money League, relegating Manchester United to third place.
As Infantino keeps banging his 48-team 2022 drum, al-Romaithi says UAE is ready
By Andrew Warshaw
January 24 – As the Asian Cup moves towards its eagerly awaited conclusion, one of the elephants in the room is the extent to which the United Arab Emirates, as hosts, are putting on a show worthy of being viewed as potential sharers of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Beckham joins Class of 92 team-mates with Salford City ownership
January 24 – Former England captain David Beckham is set to take a 10% stake in Salford City, a non-league English club, joining a number of other members of Manchester United’s so-called Class of 92.
CAF bans Egypt’s Ismaily from Champions League after fans stone players and officials
January 24 – The image of Egyptian football has taken another battering five months before hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in place of Cameroon.