Spanish study finds 15m fans go to bars to watch live matches
January 27 – More than 15 million football fans in Spain will watch matches live in public venues every season, according to new research findings released by Mediapro.
Irish call up Quinn for deputy CEO role
January 27 – Former Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn (pictured), one of the most respected figures in Irish football, has been appointed as the Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI) interim deputy chief executive as the federation strives to regain its credibility and reputation.
DFL takes equity stake in Movez mobile app start up
January 27 – Germany’s DFL has moved beyond its traditional football business and acquired an equity stake in MOVEZ, a mobile app start-up for football skills evaluation.
Games postponed after attack leaves semi-pro player dead
January 27 – Three men have been arrested after an English part-time footballer died following an assault in Retford in the east midlands area of the country.
BeneLiga talks progress as report suggests league could generate €400m in rights fees
January 24 – A Deloitte study suggests the BeneLiga could generate up to €400 million, reinforcing the idea of a future merger between the Belgian and Dutch top flights into a single more competitive and powerful league.
FIFPro issue statement saying Platini has no formal role at player’s union
January 24 – The news of Michel Platini’s return to football administration appears to have been premature, at least in terms of a formal appointment.
Iranian clubs agree to play ACL in UAE as AFC keeps options open for home fixtures
January 24 – After threatening to pull all four of their participants out of the Asian Champions League, Iranian authorities have relented after The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed it is moving two preliminary matches out of Iran to neutral venues because of security concerns.
Man Utd fans hit ugly note with team ownership song
January 24 – Increasingly frustrated at their once all-conquering team’s diminishing reputation and lacklustre displays, Manchester United fans have been criticised for the way in which they have taken their frustrations out on chief executive Ed Woodward (pictured).
FIFPro rejects Olympic gagging rule, saying it will back players making social statements
January 24 – Players who defy Olympic rules by making political protests at the Tokyo Olympics this summer will be supported by their global union..
Guatemala to host 2020 Concacaf Futsal finals with nations hunting World Cup slots
January 24 – Concacaf has named Guatemala as host for its 2020 Futsal Championship which will qualify four teams for the Futsal World Cup in Lithuania 2020.
Opposition to RFEF’s Rubiales mounts as Rajor emerges as possible challenger
January 24 – Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajor has emerged as a possible contender to challenge Luis Rubiales (pictured) for the presidency of the Spanish FA when Rubiales stands for re-election later this year.
Man City revamp OTT service under new CITY+ brand with increased content
January 24 – Manchester City has launched an new content service across its digital platforms. Branded CITY+, it is the described as the ‘evolution’ of the club’s OTT offering launched last July.
Warner’s extradition fate now lies in the hands of the UK’s Privy Council
January 23 – The will-they-won’t-they battle for extradition of former FIFA vice president and Concacaf president Jack Warner took another delaying step this week when Warner was given final approval to challenge the extradition proceedings against him at the Privy Council, the final appellate court in London.
Platini is back. Former UEFA boss takes advisory role with players’ union FIFPro
January 23 – Michel Platini is back. The Frenchman and former UEFA president returns to the global stage as the personal advisor of FIFPro president Philippe Piat after having served a four-year ban from the game for the unjustified collection of €1.8 million from Joseph Blatter.
Agents furious over FIFA plans to cap commissions and threaten legal action
By Samindra Kunti
January 23 – Leading agents, including Mino Raiola, Jorge Mendes and Jonathan Barnett, have threatened FIFA with legal action over proposals to cut fees to the representatives of players and clubs involved in transfers.