UEFA starts tender process for Euro 2024 hospitality sales rights
January 12 – UEFA is looking for hospitality partners for the Euro 2024 championship that will be hosted in Germany.
World Football
From Crystal Palace to Botafogo. Textor builds club stakes with 90% of Brazilian club
January 11 – Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor will become the owner of Botafogo, the president of the Brazilian club Durcesio Mello announced on Monday.
CAF turns to cryptocurrency with Binance deal for AFCON
January 11 – The African confederation that has recently struggled to find hard cash to fund football on its continent has turned to cryptocurrency. Crypto exchange Binance has become another last-minute sponsor of the Africa Cup of Nations, which hosts Cameroon kicked off on Sunday with a 1-0 victory against Burkina Faso.
Brugge and Anderlecht bosses to jointly chair Pro League for crucial 6 months
January 11 – Club Brugge’s Vincent Mannaert and Anderlecht’s Wouter Vandenhaute will lead the Belgian Pro League for the next six months following the resignation of chairman Peter Croonen.
Cameroon kick off AFCON with a win; covid controversy lurks; CAF raises prize money
By Samindra Kunti
January 10 – At last, the wait for the host nation is over. Cameroon kicked off the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament with more prize money than ever, with a dramatic 2-1 rearguard win over Burkina Faso in an enthralling opening game.
Flamengo keep up commercial push with improved Adidas deal
January 10 – Brazilian giants Flamengo have renewed their sponsorship deal with sportswear giant Adidas until 2025 for a value of at least €10.7 million a year.
Coventry United women saved by last minute buyer, but points deduction stands
January 10 – The fragility of the finances in the lower tier of the women’s professional game were demonstrated last week with the last-minute takeover of Coventry United Ladies, who play in the FA Women’s Championship.
Ajax abandon training camp as covid spread decimates winter breaks
January 7 – Ajax Amsterdam have abandoned their training camp in Portugal following an outbreak of coronavirus infections. They follow in the footstep of PSV, Feyenoord and a slate of Belgian clubs who decided to cancel their winter camps altogether.
Player release talking done, covid tests ongoing: Africa gets to AFCON start line
By Samindra Kunti
January 7 – Three years late and with the coronavirus crisis a major concern on the touchline, Cameroon will kick off the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil against Burkina Faso on Sunday. Defending champions Algeria and Senegal start as favourites to win the continental finals.
Inter Miami close in on Freedom Park site but still need city sign off
January 7 – MLS club Inter Miami CF look to have finally struck a deal for the site and build of a new soccer-specific stadium with the City of Miami, according to local media reports.
Italian covid chaos: Inter take pitch at Bologna only to walk off
January 7 – Yet another high-profile Italian fixture has descended into farce because of Covid-19 with Inter Milan’s game at Bologna called off even though the visitors had turned up to play.
Cordeiro ready to return to US Soccer with promise of equality, leadership and opportunity
By Paul Nicholson
January 6 – Former US Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro is bidding for a comeback, having announced his candidacy for the presidential elections that will be held at the USSF National Council meeting this March.
AFCON hit by new covid threat as Senegal laid low with 9 positive cases
January 6 – As many observers feared, the African Cup of Nations has been plunged into Covid chaos just days ahead of kick-off with Senegal, one of the favourites, among those worst hit.
Has Covid become a political football? Union Berlin boss thinks so
January 6 – The president of Bundesliga team Union Berlin has got tongues wagging in Germany by accusing politicians of using Covid restrictions around football to further their own agendas.
CAF agrees Umbro and TikTok deals in time for AFCON kick off
January 6 – On the eve of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has partnered with sportswear giant Umbro in a multi-year deal.