England to host Women’s Euro 2021
December 4 – UEFA has awarded the hosting of the Women’s Euro 2021 to England who were the only bidders for the tournament that was last held in France in 2017.
News
‘Inshallah’ Gianni bangs his drum for expanding Qatar 2022 at G20 summit
By Paul Nicholson
December 3 – FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, addressed the G20 summit of world leaders at the weekend as a self proclaimed “simple citizen of the World” and proceeded to expound the virtues of football’s unifying powers and how great it would be if the Qatar 2022 World Cup could be expanded to more countries in the region, inshallah.
Nations League finalists drawn; UEFA confirms VAR I coming for Champion League last 16
December 3 – England will play the Netherlands and hosts Portugal take on Switzerland in the semi-final of the inaugural Nations League following the draw made today.
CAF strip Cameroon of AFCON 2019 hosting; Morocco and SA want the gig
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – After insisting there was no plan B and promising only last month that his organisation had “never thought about” an alternative venue, African football chief Ahmad Ahmad has bowed to growing pressure and stripped Cameroon of hosting rights for next year’s African Cup of Nations.
UEFA expands European horizons with go-ahead for third club competition from 2021
December 3 – UEFA have confirmed plans for a ground-breaking third club competition to sit below the Champions League and Europa League from 2021.
US Soccer dumps U12 academy system in favour of players developing at their youth clubs
By Paul Nicholson
December 3 – The US Soccer federation is abandoning its controversial U12 academy system, which it launched in 2016, in favour of returning this age-group’s player development responsibilities to its youth club system.
2020 pot boiler: Netherlands draw Germany in Euro qualification group
December 3 – While there wasn’t quite a group of death, the Netherlands drew the short straw by being paired with Germany in qualification for the 2020 European Championship on Sunday.
Nigeria scoop AFCON women’s title for 9th time after penalty shoot-out with SA
By Samindra Kunti
December 3 – Nigeria retained their stranglehold on African women’s football, winning a ninth Africa Cup of Nations with 4-3 penalty shoot-out win against South Africa in the final. In the third-place playoff, Cameroon claimed Africa’s last ticket for next year’s Women’s World Cup in France.
All dressed up with no place to go? River Plate reject Madrid for Copa Libertadores finale
December 3 – So where now? After Conmebol finally agreed to play the second leg of the twice postponed Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate in Madrid on December 9, River Plate have objected to the venue saying the decision is “incomprehensible”.
Spain celebrate U-17 World Cup championship win with 2-1 defeat of Mexico
December 3 – Spain claimed their first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Mexico 2-1 in Montevideo. They succeed North Korea as world champions.
Real Madrid’s Bernabeu to host rearranged Copa Libertadores final, if Boca will play
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – After a series of twists, turns, disagreements and crisis meetings, the second leg of the twice postponed Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate will be switched to Europe and played more than 6,000 miles away in Madrid on December 9.
FIFA rankings: Belgium hold on to top spot from France and Brazil
November 30 – Belgium remain top of FIFA’s latest rankings, just, with world champions France a close second and Brazil in third spot. Sweden and Serbia were among the big movers.
Spain and Mexico progress to final of U17 Women’s World Cup
November 30 – Spain and Mexico will lock horns on Saturday to decide who takes gold at the U17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay.
FIFPro demands urgent investigation of Cypriot clubs injecting players
November 30 – The world players union FIFPro has called for an urgent inquiry into suspect medical treatment administered at several top-tier clubs in Cyprus.
Following the cash: FIFA open South African development office
November 30 – FIFA have opened a regional office in South Africa to serve the interests of the 14 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations.