AC Milan unveils plan to open three academies in India
January 28 – Italian giants AC Milan will open three academies in Kerala in a three-year agreement in collaboration with Calicut Sports City LLP, the club has announced.
Amnesty condemn Ashley’s proposed Newcastle deal with Saudis as ‘sportswashing’
January 28 – Amnesty International have criticised the potential £340 million purchase of Newcastle United by Saudi Arabian investment fund (PIF) – a vehicle of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman – saying the deal is “sportswashing, plain and simple.”
Paddy Power supports ‘Unsponsored Derby’ by removing all its logos and branding
January 28 – Bookmaker Paddy Power is continuing its ‘unsponsor’ campaign by taking its branding off tomorrow’s League Two match between Newport County and Macclesfield Town – now tagged as Paddy Power’s second ‘Unsponsored Derby’ as part of its ‘Save Our Shirt’ campaign.
FOX grabs US rights to Concacaf’s top comps, starting with Japan 2020 qualifiers tonight
January 28 – FOX Sports in the US have swept up a premium package of broadcast rights from Concacaf including the Women’s Olympic Qualifiers that kick off tonight with Costa Rica vs Panama and the US vs Haiti.
Chagos Islands face ‘Group of Death’ at World Football Cup in Skopje
By David Owen
January 27 – Holders Kárpátalja face a typically eclectic group as they bid to win a second consecutive World Football Cup later this year in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje.
Money talks: has Ashley hooked a real £340m buyer for Newcastle?
January 27 – The annual talks of a sale of Newcastle United by owner Mike Ashley have begun again with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) this time round being the buying party for £340 million.
South Korea take AFC U-23 title in extra time. Saudis and Aussies qualify for Japan 2020
January 27 – South Korea won the final of the AFC U23 Championship with a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia after defeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final in Thailand with a goal in extra-time from Jeong Tae-uk.
China’s Ke Hua Sports steps in with cash at Lokeren but deal raises integrity alarm bells
January 27 – Belgian second-division club Sporting Lokeren has partnered with Chinese consortium Ke Hua Sports in a bid to stave off relegation, but the move has raised eyebrows over the integrity surrounding the deal.
UK sports chief warns clubs against over reliance on betting company sponsorship
January 27 – Britain’s Sports minister Nigel Adams has denounced football’s “dependency” on sponsorship from gambling companies and warned clubs to look for different income streams.
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.