January 23 – In 1979, Trevor Francis became the first English footballer to command a £1 million transfer fee when he moved from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest. 46 years later Naomi Girma is set to make the first million-dollar transfer in women’s soccer history.
January 22 – The UK’s culture secretary Lisa Nandy has called out the conservative party for seeking to “wreck” the football regulator bill, which has been designed to bring a degree of oversight to the top five professional tiers of English football.
January 22 – Juventus has become the first major club to join Gerard Piqué’s fast-growing Kings League Italy, a 7-a-side tournament that merges traditional football with modern entertainment.
January 22 – Two years ago, Norway’s football president Lise Klaveness was denied a seat at UEFA’s top table, predominantly the property of men.
January 22 – Last week it was announced that alcohol would be allowed in view of the pitch at an English football stadium. This pilot scheme, which is being conducted at Bristol City, Southampton, Birmingham and Newcastle is being carried out across the clubs’ remaining home league games of the season with some derby fixtures exempt, however, it is limited to the women’s game.
January 20 – Last week, as reported in IWF, the Welsh clubs, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport and Wrexham were hopeful that they could open up lucrative pathways to Europe by competing and winning the Welsh League Cup. The wish now looks to be blocked by the Football Association.
January 20 – FC Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde has openly condemned the racist slurs he received during the club’s 1-1 draw with Getafe on Saturday night at the Coliseum stadium.
January 20 – The lines between sports are narrowing, and French super club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is leading the way as they begin a collaboration with five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) World Champions, the San Antonio Spurs.
January 17 – Cypriot national player Elena Aristodimou (pictured) has sharply criticised the Cyprus Football Federation for its attitude towards women’s football in the country and the lack of any development in the last few years.
January 16 – Yet another scandal is brewing at the Spanish FA (RFEF), this time involving its former president Angel Maria Villar, once one of the most influential figures in FIFA and UEFA who is back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
January 16 – Having defended his decision to leave Liverpool and join Red Bull as their head of global football, Jürgen Klopp has now slammed the expansion of the Club World Cup, saying it is one step too far for overworked players and meaningless.
January 15 – Lazio have fired the person who handled the Italian club’s eagle mascot after he posted photos and videos online of his prosthetic erect penis.
January 15 – Barcelona president Joan Laporta has defended his administration’s handling of the Dani Olmo case as he lashed out against an alleged campaign to tarnish the club’s image.
January 15 – FC Barcelona’s financial difficulties are well documented, and the search for cash has at times seemed like a selling of the family jewels, however the club announced that they have eased financial concerns after raising an initial €100 million ($102m) from the sale of 30-year ‘season tickets’ in the VIP section of its revamped Camp Nou stadium.
January 15 – Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hit back at critics of his new job as Red Bull’s head of global football.