Serie A apologise for inappropriate ‘monkey’ paintings
December 18 – Serie A has apologised in the wake of the furore over imagery of monkeys being used in artwork for their anti-racism campaign.
World Football
Charlotte looks set for 30th MLS spot with a $325m buy-in
December 17 – Major League Soccer is set to announce Charlotte as the league’s 30th franchise for a record fee of $325 million.
Celtic hit with another UEFA firework fine
December 17 – Glasgow giants Celtic have been hit with €16,000 fine by UEFA after fans set off fireworks in their Europa League clash with Lazio in Rome.
Forget global league talk, Champions League last 16 pitches Man City vs Real Madrid
December 16 – Manchester City will have to do it the hard way in their quest to break their Champions League duck and finally land the trophy.
CAF win Round 1 of contract dispute but Lagardère still punching for a knockout finish
By Paul Nicholson
December 16 – CAF has won the first round of the legal battle over the cancellation of its contract with Lagardère Sports. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Geneva ruled Friday rejected Lagardère’s application for emergency measures that would have allowed the agency to continue as per the contract.
Italian women’s Serie A fast tracked to professionalism with lifting of salary cap
December 16 – A new law in Italy, removing the current salary cap, will allow women players at Serie A Femminile clubs to be paid as full time professionals.
Former FAI boss Delaney under scrutiny over his UEFA role and pay days
By Andrew Warshaw
December 13 – John Delaney, the flamboyant Irishman who strode European football’s corridors of power until being forced to resign as chief executive of his federation (FAI) in March, is still a member of UEFA’s inner circle despite the FAI being in financial meltdown.
First Vienna FC 1894 celebrate their 125th with a visit from an elderly relative from Sheffield
December 13 – Age is just a number but for a football club it can also mark a status that no-one else can achieve.
More woe for Tanzania’s Malinzi as he is found guilty of forgery
December 13 – Disgraced former president of the Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) and one-time FIFA standing committee member, Jamal Malinzi (pictured), has been found guilty of document forgery in his homeland .
Relegation escapees Botafogo plan for a more commercial future
December 13 – Financially challenged Brazilian top tier club Botafogo, is to transition from an association to a corporate structure to professionalise operations. Debt at the Rio club has risen to more than €200 million.
Former CAF 1st VP Patel opens up on a leadership that has ‘shamed’ Africa
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 12 – As CAF’s first Vice-President for seven years (2011-2017) and the Chairman of its Finance Committee, Suketu Patel was regarded as the financial brain-box of the African football governing body, during the latter stages of Cameroonian Issa Hayatou’s 29-year presidency.
Euro Leagues chief Olsson ‘tired’ of big club threats to break up football’s ecosystem
December 11 – The head of the umbrella organisation representing Europe’s domestic leagues has launched yet another broadside against plans to revamp the Champions League saying his organisation is “tired” of threats about a breakaway super league.
Police called in at FAI to investigate threats against staff
December 11 – Irish police are reported to be investigating a series of threats made against staff at the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), leading to increased security at the federation’s Dublin headquarters.
CAS orders FIFA and CAF to respond to Bility claim that CAF takeover is illegal
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 9 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, football’s world governing body, to file, within 14 days, a reply to the claims made against them by Musa Bility, the former President of the Liberia Football Association.
Cruzeiro relegation sparks violence in Belo Horoizonte as rioting fans clash with police
December 9 – The final day of the league season in Brazil was marred by violence as Belo Horizonte giants Cruzeiro were relegated for the first time in their history from Brazil’s top flight following a 0-2 defeat at home to Palmeiras.