Mönchengladbach’s Thuram banned for spitting in opponent’s face
December 22 – Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram has been banned for five games for spitting in the face of a Hoffenheim opponent in the Bundesliga.
World Football
EFL pushes League Cup final back to April in hope more fans can attend
December 22 – The EFL has pushed its League Cup final back from February to April in the hope that more fans will be able to attend its Wembley showpiece event in London.
Failed Mediapro partnership strikes financial fear into hearts of French club football
December 21 – French football is still counting the cost of the loss of the Mediapro broadcast deal that has plunged a raft of clubs, already hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, into further financial disarray.
LAFC seek to break Mexican grip on Concacaf Champions League against Tigres UANL
December 21 – Tigres UANL and Los Angeles FC will close off Concacaf’s disrupted 2020 competition season with the final of 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on Tuesday (December 22).
Stiles had brain damage from repeated heading of the ball, say medics
December 21 – With the debate over both concussion and dementia intensifying, the family of former England 1966 World Cup-winning midfielder Nobby Stiles say they have been told his brain was severely damaged by repeated heading of the ball.
Conmebol boost women’s game with bi-annual Copa America and new club competition
December 18 – Conmebol has said that it will organise the women’s Copa America every two years from 2022 onwards. The organisation’s president Alejandro Dominguez has also proposed an intercontinental club championship for the women’s game.
Covid concerns force UEFA to cancel U-17 men and women Euros set for May 2021
December 18 – The 2021 men’s and women’s U-17 European Championships have been cancelled by UEFA due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Trinidad’s John-Williams exposes lies of Panama accounts and culture of fabrication
By Paul Nicholson
December 17 – Former Trinidad and Tobago FA president David John-Williams (pictured), the target of a vitriolic character assassination in local media and from the TTFA management that ousted him (before they were removed by FIFA), has issued a powerful statement and evidence rebutting accusations that he stole FIFA funds as “fabrication”.
LaLiga takes its digital business to market with €450m valuation
December 16 – Spain’s LaLiga is hiving off its digital product into a new company which it has valued at €450 million and is now being touted to private equity investors.
Tigres and Club America lead Mexican bid for another Champions League title
December 17 – With coronavirus case spiking at just the wrong time in the US, Concacaf has nevertheless managed to complete its centralised quarter finals in Orlando with two Mexican, one Honduran and one US team lining up for Saturday’s semi-finals.
Persepolis and Ulsan Hyundai primed for Asian Champions League finale
December 17 – With the Champions League in Europe taking a break until February, all eyes are on the final of Asia’s equivalent competition on Saturday when South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai take on Iranian giants Persepolis in Qatar.
Palmeiras confident of 2021 profit but 2020 losses hit €21.7m and counting
December 17 – Sao Paulo giants Palmeiras have projected a profit of €1.6 million for the 2021 season, but will suffer heavy losses in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
UEFA warms to Green Deal sign-up and focus on carbon cutting Euro 2024
December 17 – UEFA and president Aleksander Ceferin have formally confirmed they will support the newly launched European climate pact.
Who’s the Daddy? Maradona legend continues with court ordering DNA is preserved
December 17 – The body of Diego Maradona “must be conserved” in case his DNA is needed in a paternity case, an Argentine court has ruled.
Basque breakaway bid looks for UEFA and FIFA recognition
December 16 – The Basque Football Federation has applied to FIFA and UEFA to be officially recognised so the regional team can compete in international competition.