By Paul Nicholson
December 10 – UEFA will hold its Executive Committee next Thursday (December 16) via video conference and with an agenda that is noticeable absent of the two biggest issues that have faced the European federation over the past eight months – the biennial World Cup and the thwarted plans for a European Super League (ESL).
December 10 – The Covid outbreak sweeping through English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, which put paid to Thursday’s Europa Conference League fixture, has now forced Sunday’s Premier League game at Brighton to also be postponed.
December 10 – Napoli have knocked Leicester City out of the Europa League with a 3-2 victory in an end-to-end match and will join Barcelona among others in the knockout phase of the competition.
December 10 – There is still big money in youth development despite an overall stagnation in the transfer market. A new transfer value analysis of the Big 5 leagues says there are 15 players under the age of 23 who could command a transfer fee of €100 million or more.
By Paul Nicholson
December 9 – Two days before LaLiga’s clubs are scheduled to vote on the Impulso Project which will see CVC inject almost €2 billion into the league, the Spanish FA (RFEF) and its president Luis Rubiales have issued a statement against the fund raising and questioning its legality under Spanish law.
December 9 – Rennes have reacted angrily to UEFA’s decision to allow Tottenham Hotspur to call off tonight’s European Conference League fixture against their French opponents because of an outbreak of Covid-19.
December 9 – French top-flight side Lyon have been docked one point after their home game last month against Marseille was abandoned when the visitors’ Dimitri Payet was hit on the head by a bottle.
December 9 – For the first time in 18 years Barcelona have been eliminated from the Champions League before the knockout stage after being humbled 3-0 by Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
December 9 – Technical director Marc Overmars has extended his contract at Ajax Amsterdam until 2026. He has held the role since 2012.
December 9 – Brazilian legend Pele is back in hospital, for follow-up for treatment for a colon tumour.
December 8 – The Confederation of African Football has dismissed rumours that next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) could be moved away from Cameroon following the recent discovery of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
December 8 – Major League Soccer has unveiled plans for the debut of its third tier league, MLS Next Pro, that will start play in 2022 with 21 clubs.
December 8 – AC Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis has defended a controversial plan to demolish the iconic San Siro and replace it with a €690 million stadium to ensure the club’s future.
December 7 – The president of Italian top-flight side Sampdoria is stepping down with immediate effect after being arrested for alleged involvement in fraudulent bankruptcy cases.
By Samindra Kunti
December 7 – Belgian football has banned away fans until the end of the year following a weekend of disorder across grounds, with incidents at Standard Liege and in the Antwerp derby.