England World Cup winner Martin Peters dies, aged 76
By David Owen
December 22 – Martin Peters, who scored England’s second goal in the 4-2 victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, has died at the age of 76.
Belgium ends year top of FIFA rankings, Qatar is 2019’s fastest climber
December 21 – Belgium will finish 2019 as the world’s top ranked team, ahead of France and Brazil – the same positions they held in December 2018 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola men’s World Rankings.
Nine bidders line up for expanded Club World Cup commercial rights
December 20 – FIFA has received nine bids for the commercial rights to the new expanded 24-team Club World Cup being held in China in 2021.
FIFA give former Ethics committee member Alvarado life ban for taking bribes
December 20 – FIFA has imposed a life ban on a former member of both its Ethics and Disciplinary Committees, who at one time helped judge the wrongdoing of others, for himself taking bribes.
Uganda beat Kenya to take 15th Cecafa Cup title
December 20 – Hosts Uganda have lifted the Cecafa Cup, East Africa’s flagship regional competition, after defeating Eritrea 3-0 in the final.
Qatar 2022 chief hopes tournament will change stereotypes of Qatar
December 20 – The head of Qatar’s World Cup organising committee hopes visiting fans will change their views about his country in the same way misconceptions about Russia were altered at the 2018 tournament.
Law: Avoiding the data compliance offside trap
Data has become a core function of a football club’s business. Managing and monetising that data efficiently, legally and privately is a focal point. By Bryony Long, Mark Hersey and Lauren Stone at law firm Lewis Silkin
Tanzania’s Simba club launches payment card with Equity Bank
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 20 – In what is a unique drive, in African football, to increase revenue, leading Tanzanian club Simba has launched its own bank payment card. They hope to raise a minimum of $10 million through the deal.
Game over for Ozil in China as Netease removes him from PES 2020 video title
December 20 – Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil who tweeted about China’s detention and persecution of Uighurs and other Muslims in the Xinjiang province, has been removed from the Chinese edition of Konami’s PES 2020 video game.
Liverpool adds cyber storage partner to sponsorship portfolio
December 20 – Premier league Liverpool has added cyber storage company Acronis to its sponsorship roster in what is described as a multi-year partnership. No value was given for the deal.
Adidas join Coke in corporate sport-washing of Saudi Arabia’s Italian Super Cup
December 20 – Adidas have become the latest FIFA sponsor to embrace the controversial Italian Super Cup after earlier this week Coca-Cola announced it would be the match’s title sponsor.
Real Madrid to monetise 110m Facebook following with $2.77 subscription
December 20 – Real Madrid have launched a new Facebook subscription service costing $2.77 as the club seeks monetise their giant following of a 110 million on the social media platform.
West Ham deliver ITD Global as new official logistics partner
December 20 – Premier League West Ham United has announced ITD Global as its Official Logistics Partner.
VW to provide electric self-drive vans for Qatar 2022 World Cup
December 20 – Volkswagen is targeting the 2022 World Cup to showcase its self-driving electric vehicles. The German carmaker has been working with the city of Doha, Qatar to provide a fleet I.D. Buzz autonomous vehicles for the start of the world finals.
FC Koln cuts Chinese academy plans in protest over country’s ‘brutal dictatorship’
By Samindra Kunti
December 18 – German Bundesliga’s FC Koln has taken a political stand over China’s human rights abuses, withdrawing from a €1.8 million deal to run a football academy in the country.