LaLiga brings in IMG as exclusive agency for global sponsorship sales
December 14 – LaLiga has brought in sports marketing agency IMG to boost its global sponsorship sales as it continues its international revenue drive.
News
CAF exco member Ngaïssona charged with war crimes, murder, torture and recruiting child soldiers
By Paul Nicholson
December 13 – Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, a member of CAF’s executive committee and president of the Central African Republic FA, has been arrested in France and charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, torture and the recruitment of child soldiers.
Japan leave Kagawa and Okazaki out of 2019 Asian Cup squad but include Yoshida
By Samindra Kunti
December 13 – Japan have dropped Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa from their Asian Cup squad with coach Hajime Moriyasu opting for youth.
National identity: Basque region votes to apply for UEFA and FIFA recognition
December 13 – Using cases like Gibraltar and Kosovo as precedents, Spain’s Basque region is to request formal recognition from both FIFA and UEFA following a vote by its local assembly.
Morocco pull out of 2019 AFCON hosting. CAF bid deadline tomorrow
December 13 – Morocco have pulled out of the running to step in as replacement hosts of next June’s African Nations Cup leaving South Africa and Egypt as front-runners.
Balkan bid quartet plan meet to discuss 2030 World Cup bid
December 13 – Despite UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin’s preference for one sole bid from Europe, a Balkan grouping of countries hoping to stage the 2030 World Cup say they have just as realistic a chance as anyone else.
With beoutQ piracy rampant, beIN Sport protests Serie A’s Super Cup ‘reward’ for Saudis
By Paul Nicholson
December 12 – Qatar-based pan-regional broadcaster beIN Sport has written to Serie A to ask the Italian league to reconsider the recently announced three-year deal for the staging of the Italian Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA hold Qatar summit with focus on future of global competition calendar
December 12 – Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup is reported to be one of the key discussion points at the latest FIFA executive summit currently taking place in in Qatar and involving over 50 FIFA federations from five continents, including 18 from Asia.
CAF’s Ahmad denies he rigged the stripping of AFCON 2019 from Cameroon
December 12 – The head of African football has denied that he orchestrated the move to strip Cameroon of hosting rights for next year’s African Nations Cup, saying it was a collective decision by his confederation’s inner circle.
Life without Messi and Ronaldo: what next for LaLiga?
December 12 – As Spanish football manages an international transition from the individual appeal of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the KPMG Football Benchmark team has taken a look at the impact this could have on LaLiga’s business.
11 for 8: UEFA names executive committee candidates for Feb election
December 12 – UEFA have announced that 11 candidates, including the female member, are to stand for eight available places on its executive committee when elections take place at UEFA’s annual congress in February.
Atlanta’s MLS Cup win over Portland breaks Fox streaming records
December 12 – Atlanta United’s 2-0 win over Portland Timbers at the weekend is the most watched MLS Cup since 1997.
Boban defends FIFA boss but admits flaws in £25bn sell-off plan and push for 48-team 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
December 11 – Gianni Infantino’s closest technical advisor, Zvonimir Boban, has publicly ruled out the Qatar World Cup in 2022 being expanded to 48 teams – unless it definitely shares the tournament with its neighbours.
Barca reject Miami fixture but Tebas says LaLiga is still set on staging a league match in US
By Andrew Warshaw
December 11 – La Liga’s much-publicised – and also much criticised – plans to play a groundbreaking overseas game in Miami in January have been abandoned after Barcelona pulled out of the Catalan derby against Girona due to a “lack of consensus”.
Betting: Sky boss argues against TV match ad ban, Luton Town reject bookies’ money
By Paul Nicholson
December 11 – The debate over gambling ads in the UK has intensified with League One side Luton Town saying it has rejected sponsorship from betting companies while Sky CEO Stephen van Rooyen (pictured) has argued that banning gambling ads from being broadcast during matches will only drive that marketing spend online.