From bad to worse. Juve crash at Monza
January 30 – Juventus’ dire predicament on and off the pitch has taken a further hit as they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by unheralded Monza in Serie A on Sunday.
World Football
Copa America to return to US in 2024 after Conmebol and Concacaf sign new multi-competition pact
By Paul Nicholson
January 27 – Conmebol’s flagship Copa America will be played in the US in 2024 for the second time with all 10 of the South American nations and the six best Concacaf teams competing.
Vinicius Jr demands punishment after his effigy is hung from Madrid bridge by Atletico fans
January 27 – Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr says he expects punishment to be handed out by Spanish authorities against hate crimes after a mannequin wearing his No. 20 shirt was hung from a bridge in front of the club’s training centre ahead of the recent Madrid derby.
Stewart exits US Soccer for PSV Eindhoven, recruiters hired to fill top jobs
January 25 – The US men’s national team may have to wait longer for a new coach following the exit of sporting director Ernie Stewart at US Soccer. Earlier this week general manager Brian McBride had also departed the federation.
JP Morgan could go as high as €1bn for stake in Serie A’s media business, reports
January 27 – JP Morgan have added their names to a number of private equity investors interested in buying into Italy’s Serie A.
Southgate says boo-boys almost made him quit, but team is improving and he is ‘hungry’
January 27 – England manager Gareth Southgate contemplated before the World Cup in Qatar announcing he would resign after it because of criticism in the build-up to the tournament.
Impatient Ajax fire Schreuder after 7 matches without a league win
January 27 – Ajax have dismissed their coach Alfred Schreuder following a disappointing run of seven Eredivisie matches without a win.
Mastercard renews Copa Libertadores for four editions and adds women’s competition
January 27 – Mastercard has renewed its sponsorship of Conmebol’s Copa Libertadores through to 2026 with the addition of the confederation’s women’s club competition – Libertadores Feminina – to the agreement.
Canadians mark fifth season of top tier pro-league with emphasis on journey’s start
January 27 – It took a long time in gestation and it intends to be around for even longer. The Canadian Premier League (CPL) is marking its fifth season with a celebratory logo as it continues to build.
UEFA revamp Nations League with new play-offs, and reformats Euro qualifying for 2026
January 26 – UEFA have decided that men’s teams will no longer play in six-team qualifying groups after Euro 2024 in order to bring about “less predictable and more dynamic” play.
Former Chinese Super League club Wuhan shuttered after failing to pay wages
January 26 – In a further sign of the collapse of China’s domestic game, Wuhan Yangtze, once a Super League outfit, has folded, months after a points deduction for failing to pay player salaries.
Clattenburg exits head of Egyptian refs post over fears for safety and Zamalek backlash
January 26 – Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has been forced to resign from his position as president of the Egyptian Referees Committee after only five months in charge.
UEFA strip Russians of European Super Cup in Kazan, appoint Athens as new hosts
January 26 – In a further re-inforcement of Russia’s ban from European competition, UEFA have stripped Kazan of hosting rights for this year’s European Super Cup due to the war in Ukraine and moved it to Athens.
Koeman’s new look Dutch team to open Nations League final four against Croatia
January 26 – Host nation the Netherlands will kick off the Nations League Final Four with a semi-final against Croatia following Wednesday’s draw.
EstrelaBet adds to Minas Gerais footprint with Campeonato Mineiro sponsorship
January 25 – Another premium sponsorship asset in Brazil has been picked up by an online bookmaker. EstrelaBet have become a main sponsor of the Mineiro state championship – Campeonato Mineiro.