Neymar confirms his return to boyhood club Santos
January 31 – Following the termination of his contract with Saudi club Al Hilal, Brazil star Neymar will return to his first club Santos in what is being reported as a short-term deal.
World Football
Betano picks up naming rights to Flamengo-Botafogo Super Cup
January 31 – Online bookmaker Betano will be the headline sponsor of Brazil’s Super Cup, the season’s curtain-raiser between Flamengo and Botafogo.
WeatherTech Canada warms to Canadian Premier League deal
January 31 – The Canadian Premier League has signed a multi-year deal with WeatherTech Canada, which will see the company become its Official Automotive Accessories Partner.
NWSL rubberstamps Denver as league’s 16th franchise
January 31 – The NWSL in the US has officially named Denver, Colorado, as the league’s 16th franchise. Denver will begin play in the 2026 season.
Serie A to partner with 7-a-side Kings League in pursuit of younger demographic
January 31 – Hot on the heels of the rapidly growing six-a-side Baller League, comes the announcement that the Kings League, the innovative 7-a-side football competition founded by Gerard Piqué, will form a partnership with the Serie A, Italy’s top football league.
Norwegian FA defies clubs and fans on VAR in call to develop it
January 30 – The Norwegian FA (NFF) has launched a defence of VAR in a bid to retain it, after NFF president Lise Klaveness (pictured) and her board met on Wednesday to consider the future of the technology following opposition from fans, who threw fish cakes on to a pitch last year in protest, and clubs, who have voted to get rid of it.
Europa League set to reach exciting conclusion with 18-game slate
Off the back of a thrilling UEFA Champions League night on Wednesday, it is now the turn of the inaugural Europa League group phase to reach its climax on Thursday evening, with all 18 matches kicking off simultaneously at 20:00 GMT.
Abramovich allegedly dodged tax payments through superyacht scheme
January 30 – Former Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich allegedly dodged paying millions in taxes to British authorities through an elaborate fictitious superyacht hiring scheme.
Man City, PSG avoid early exits from UEFA Champions League
January 30 – Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain secured vital victories on the final matchday of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League group phase to ensure qualification to the play-off round.
CAF publishes new dates for African Nations Championship
January 30 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the new dates for this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament promoting home-based talent and featuring only players based in domestic leagues.
Municipality of Split begins €25million renovation of Poljud Stadium
January 30 – The Municipality of Split is preparing the process to reconstruct and renovate the Poljud Stadium, Croatia’s largest football venue with a capacity of 33,987 seats.
Barca in home hunt for El Clasico in May
January 30 – The El Clasico, between Real Madrid and Barcelona is widely considered to be the biggest club game in world football and is eagerly awaited every season. On May 11, the second La Liga instalment following Barca’s thrashing of Madrid 4-0 at Estadio Bernabeu, is scheduled to take place at the Camp Nou, however, the game is now in jeopardy of having no facility to play in.
CAF financially fuelled by Total Energies 4-year renewal
January 29 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Total Energies have renewed their partnership with a four-year deal.
Marseilles-Nice derby marred by racist banners and homophobic chanting
January 29 – The French league has condemned yet another incident of homophobic and sexist chanting and racist banners, this time by home fans during a top-flight match between Nice and visiting Marseille last weekend.
French football and rugby union ready to join forces to manage Stade de France
January 29 – The French Football Federation (FFF) and French Rugby Federation (FFR) are preparing to join forces to manage the Stade de France if negotiations with GL Events for the stadium’s operation collapse.