Euro winner Luis de La Fuente extends Spain contract
January 28 – Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract until 2028 after leading the team to last year’s European Championship title.
News
AFCON heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon drawn together in 2025 finals
January 28 – Defending African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Ivory Coast have been drawn against fellow tournament heavyweights Cameroon in the group stages of the 2025 iteration of the competition.
Former Premier League referee David Coote tells all in heartfelt interview
January 28 – Former English Premier League referee David Coote has come out as gay and revealed that struggling to hide his sexuality contributed to the offensive rant about Jurgen Klopp that led to his dismissal.
Belgium’s Radja Nainggolan arrested as part of cocaine trafficking investigation
January 28 – Serie A champion, and former Belgian international, Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe from South America.
Neymar has Al-Hilal contract cancelled, clearing path for potential return to Santos
January 28 – The cancellation of injury-prone Neymar’s contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal could ease the path to a return to Santos in Brazil where he started his career. Rumours are that he could return as both a player and investor.
MLS moves broadcast production in with WWE; IMG extends content deal
January 28 – Major League Soccer (MLS) is moving its productions to WWE Headquarters in Stamford Connecticut from East Harlem, New York.
US third-tier league NISA plans new season start in April
January 28 – US third-tier professional league, the national Independent Soccer Association (NISA), that operates under a provisional license issued by the US Soccer Federation (USSF) , has said it is targeting a return to play in April 2025 with a championship match in October.
Another day another despot. Infantino continues his private jolly jet tour of the world
January 27 – With a visit to Italy’s far-right deputy prime-minister Matteo Salvini, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has once again marked his presidency by his keenness to use his football honorarium for non-football involvement in extremist political circles.
Rudi Garcia tasked with returning Belgian pride and winning teams
January 27 – Frenchman Rudi Garcia (pictured) has been named the new manager of Belgium following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco. His contract runs through until the 2026 World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann to stay with German national team through to 2028 Euros
January 27 – Julian Nagelsmann has renewed his contract as head coach of the German national team for an extra two years beyond the 2028 European Championships.
Swiss league sells naming rights to Brack in hat-trick of sponsorship deals
January 27 – The Swiss Football League (SFL) has announced a trio of significant sponsorship deals, including a new title sponsor for the Super League, as it builds momentum ahead of the country’s hosting the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 later this year.
UEFA’s shows zero tolerance of Serbia’s bad boys anti-Kosovan behaviour
January 27 – The Serbian FA has lost its appeal to UEFA over sanctions totalling €119,000 fine for fan misconduct during their Nations League match against Switzerland last November. Serbia’s appeal, challenging the original decision handed down in December, was rejected by the confederation’s Appeal Body on Friday, confirming the full extent of the penalties.
Match week 23: Premier League attendances dip below 98% average capacity
January 27 – Premier League attendance numbers took a sharp dip in Matchweek 23, with the overall average in the capacity tracker registering just 97.63%—one of the lowest marks of the season. The drop-off was particularly striking after last week’s record-setting highs, where five clubs surpassed the 99% threshold. This week, however, not a single club managed to hit that benchmark.
English FA spoil Welsh ambition and a happy Hollywood ending in Europe
January 27 – The Hollywood celebrity owners of Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have had their hopes of an easy entrance for European glory dashed by the English Football Association (FA) as the FA have blocked the English Football League’s Welsh clubs’ plans to join a revamped Welsh League Cup next season.
Griezmann signs for Decathlon and Kipsta
January 27 – France World Cup winner, and long-time Atletico Madrid superstar, Antoine Griezmann has officially signed with Decathlon, the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, ending his 14-year partnership with German sportswear company Puma.