FIFA TMS records 5.1% jump in player sales to $7.35bn for 2019
January 23 – Football clubs worldwide splashed out a record $7.35 billion (€6.63 million) on transfers in the men’s game in 2019, according to the latest FIFA report.
Libya offered CHAN spot after Tunisia pull out with clubs refusing to release players
January 23 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has invited war-torn Libya to replace Tunisia in the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in Cameroon.
Red Bull gives you (money) wings, but Brøndby fans tell energy drink to fly off
January 23 – Energy drink giants Red Bull, which already owns clubs in Germany, Austria, the USA and Brazil, are now reportedly targeting Brøndby, one of Denmark’s biggest teams where there is fierce opposition to the move.
Real Madrid Next business incubator launches to push club performance across key areas
January 23 – The race by Europe’s clubs to establish a digital advantage and take ownership positions in potentially game-changing technologies has another new entrant.
UEFA opens tender process for VAR and GLT services
January 23 – UEFA is tendering for solutions to fulfil four key technology service areas for its competitions from 2021, including men’s and women’s club and national team competitions.
More CAF chaos as World Cup qualifier dates pushed back amid commercial uncertainty
January 22 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has carried out the draw for African 2022 World Cup qualifiers but at the same time announced that matches will now not start for another nine months. The big news from the draw itself is that either Cameroon or Ivory Coast will not qualify for the Qatar World Cup after the teams were paired together.
Spanish court hears Osasuna director Vizcay detail culture of match-fixing in LaLiga
January 22 – Top-flight Spanish club Osasuna rigged matches over two seasons in an attempt to avoid relegation, a court heard on Tuesday in the latest match-fixing revelations to strike at the heart of European football.
Saudi overcome Uzbeks to secure AFC U23 final place and berth to Japan 2020 Olympics
January 22 – Saudi Arabia have become the first Asian country to qualify for the Olympic football tournament, alongside hosts Japan, after defeating reigning champions Uzbekistan 1-0 in the semi-finals of the AFC U-23 Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
UAE steps in as secure host for Iranian clubs’ opening games in Asian Champions League
January 22 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed it is moving two Asian Champions League preliminary matches out of Iran to neutral venues because of security concerns, a move that has infuriated Iranian authorities.
Meeting of mates. Infantino in Davos chasing Trump and an American Dream
January 22 – On the first day of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial on Capitol Hill in Washington, FIFA president Gianni Infantino courted the US president thousands of miles away at a dinner during the World Economic Forum in Davos, expressing his hope that “the ‘American dream’ becomes reality…all over the world.”
Qatar and FIFA commit to ‘sustainability’ plan covering legacy, human rights and environment
January 22 – Qatar and FIFA have jointly published a comprehensive strategy covering sustainability ahead of the 2022 World Cup, including pledges on workers’ rights and environmental issues.
Re-elected Tebas wastes no time hammering FIFA’s club expansion plans and the monied elite
By Andrew Warshaw
Januuary 21 – No sooner have we entered a new decade than outspoken Spanish league boss Javier Tebas is back on the offensive, this time slamming proposals both for a revamped Champions League and FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup and renewing his attack on what he has long described as “financial doping”.
Ireland’s Delaney leaves UEFA exco role
By Andrew Warshaw
January 21 – As the Rolling Stones famously sung, it’s all over now. John Delaney (pictured), the flamboyant Irishman who strode European football’s corridors of power until being forced to resign as chief executive of his federation (FAI) 10 months ago, has finally given up his position on the UEFA Executive Committee.
Exclusive: Lekjaa talks on CAF’s cash, contracts and FIFA relations
Fouzi Lekjaa, the 49-year-old Director of National Budget in Morocco’s Ministry of Finance, wears a few important football hats. He’s President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and second Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as well as being the Chairman of CAF’s Finance Committee. In an exclusive interview Lekjaa spoke to Osasu Obayiuwana
Beckham takes Inter Miami pitch to Qatar for sponsorship backing
January 21 – David Beckham’s new franchise is holding talks with Qatar to secure a headline sponsorship for Inter Miami ’s first season in the Major League Soccer.