The Three versus The Six: how politics brought Charlton and Beckenbauer back to Wembley 50 years ago
By David Owen
January 3 – Today marks the 50th anniversary of a very odd football match at Wembley Stadium.
World Football
LaLiga counters Vinícius accusation that it is soft on racism and files charges at court
January 3 – Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr has accused LaLiga of continuing to do nothing about racist abuse from fans after he was targeted by Real Valladolid fans last Friday.
Russians opt to rebuild European bridges rather than apply for AFC membership
January 3 – Russian football bosses have decided not to quit UEFA, shelving a plan to try instead to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to enable its clubs and national teams to resume playing.
Tunisia keep faith in Kadri for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
January 3 – Tunisia have extended the contract of coach Jalel Kadri (pictured) for a year despite the Carthage Eagles’ group-stage exit from the World Cup in Qatar.
World mourns loss of Pele, the greatest ever, aged 82
By Andrew Warshaw
December 30 – Brazil has declared three days of national mourning as tributes poured in from across the globe to mark the death of Pele, arguably the greatest player ever, at the age of 82.
More than a footballer. How Pelé’s star power ignited a new world for soccer
By Samindra Kunti
December 28 – For Angelo Anastasio, an immigrant from Polistena in Southern Italy, June 10, 1975 turned out to be an unpleasant day. On that day, the defender was cut from the New York Cosmos roster. And while no football-minded soul genuinely expressed any interest in Anastasio’s fate, that move signified a seismic shift in the American football landscape. The end of the Stone Age had arrived.
Euro-sceptic Russia considers applying to switch from UEFA to AFC
December 30 – Russian football bosses are reported to be considering quitting UEFA and applying to join the Asian Football Confederation to enable its clubs and national teams to resume playing.
PSG close in on securing Messi contract renewal
December 30 – Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has reached a deal to renew his contract at Paris St-Germain, according to unconfirmed French media reports.
Pelé’s passing unites a fractured Brazil as nation begins its mourning
December 30 – In a deeply polarized country, Pelé’s passing, an event Brazilians and football fans at large had hoped would never arrive, has provided a moment of rare national unity.
LaLiga closes 2022 with key wins in battle against broadcast piracy
December 29 – LaLiga has won three rulings in Spanish courts in the fight against piracy and the protection of their broadcast copyright and license fee income.
Motsepe short on Super League detail but says an African team will make 2026 final
December 22 – African football boss Patrice Motsepe has once again failed to provide a credible update on his confederation’s plans to launch a Super League in 2023, this time suggesting too many clubs have expressed an interest in the competition.
UEFA pressures England and Ireland Euro 2028 bid on hosting guarantees
December 22 – UEFA is reported to be getting increasingly frustrated over lack of sufficient guarantees by the UK and Ireland’s bid to host Euro 2028.
2022: The year the women’s game broke through in England
December 22 – More than 348,000 fans have attended games in the Women’s Super League in the first half of the 2022/23 season, a rise of 227% on the previous season, according to the English FA, who have hailed 2022 as a historic breakthrough year for the women’s game in the country.
Pelé settles in for Christmas in hospital as he battles cancer
December 22 – Pelé’s health has worsened during attempts to regulate his cancer medication, his doctors have admitted, and his family say he will remain in hospital over Christmas.
Benzema rumoured to return to French team if Zidane takes over from Deschamps
December 22 – French superstar Karim Benzema could reverse his decision to retire from international football if Zinedine Zidane takes over from Didier Deschamps as manager of the national team, according to French reports.