CBF mandates player vaccinations for Serie A and Copa do Brasil
January 24 – Players will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to play in the Brazilian top flight, the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has announced.
World Football
AFCON: Tunisia knock Nigeria out; Gambians double up, literally
By Samindra Kunti
January 24 – The Super Eagles of Nigeria are on the way home from the Africa Cup of Nations after ten-men Tunisia and a strike from the inevitable Youssef Msakni proved too much for the Nigerians. They became the third of Africa’s powerhouse football nations – after Ghana and current champions Algeria – to depart the tournament early.
African final qualifying draw pitches Salah vs Mane for a place at Qatar 2022
January 23 – Egypt vs Senegal and Nigeria vs Ghana will headline Africa’s World Cup playoffs to decide the continent’s five representatives at the finals in Qatar.
Champions Algeria crash out of AFCON winless, Gambia and Comoros make last 16
By Samindra Kunti
January 21 – Defending champions Algeria exited the Africa Cup of Nations after a lacklustre 3-1 defeat at the hands of Ivory Coast. With a single point from three matches, the North Africans finished bottom of Group E.
Homeless World Cup set to return in September with New York hosting
January 21 – The Homeless World Cup, an annual event that has not been played since 2019 due to the pandemic, is set to return in September this year with New York hosting.
French vax rules threaten to disrupt Chelsea and Real Madrid plans for Champions League ties
January 21 – UEFA have confirmed that clubs in European competitions must comply with local regulations on Covid vaccinations, potentially hitting both Real Madrid and Chelsea in the away legs of their Champions League last-16 ties.
Ex-Anderlecht boss Van Holsbeek arrested for fraud including Mitrovic and Tielemans deals
By Samindra Kunti
January 20 – Former Anderlecht general manager Herman Van Holsbeek (pictured) has been detained by Belgium authorities in an investigation into fraud and corruption centring on agent Christophe Henrotay.
Mexican FA to take tougher line on homophobic chanters
January 20 – The Mexican Federation (FMF) has issued a warning that it will act more forcefully to put an end to homophobic chants that have blighted many of its national team matches and resulted in sanctions forcing home games to be played with closed stadia.
Turkey’s Acun Ilicali buys Hull City for £24m from Egyptian Allam family
January 20 – Turkish businessman Turkey’s Acun Ilicali (pictured) and his Acun Medya Group have become the new owners of Hull City, completing a €24 million takeover of the Championship club to end the 11-year reign of the Egyptian Allam family.
Concacaf ready to roll with VAR across all main competitions
January 20 – Concacaf has said it will roll out the use of VAR across all January and March World Cup qualifiers as well as a number of other national team competitions this year.
Women’s Champion League El Clásico set to break attendance records
January 20 – A women’s Champions League match looks set to break the world record for the most spectators and could set the record for the record for the most attended match in Europe this season.
AFCON: Comoros surprise win ends Ghana’s tournament
January 19 – Comoros stunned Ghana 3-2 with their first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations to eliminate the Black Stars from the continental finals in the group stage.
Is Infantino losing Africa? CAF furiously questions FIFA ‘partnership’ over Gueye ban
By Paul Nicholson
January 19 – Cracks look to be appearing in FIFA’s suffocating dominance of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), divisions that could signal a weakening FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s powerbase within his core support.
Giggs’ Welsh return on hold as court date pushed to August
January 19 – The trial of Wales manager Ryan Giggs over alleged domestic violence has been delayed until August 8 – due to a lack of court space.
Spain mourns loss of Real Madrid legend Paco Gento, aged 88
January 19 – Real Madrid and Spain legend Francisco ‘Paco’ Gento, the only player to have won the old European Cup six times, has died aged 88.