2020 World Football Cup set for Skopje
By David Owen
December 3 – The Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) has announced that the 2020 edition of the World Football Cup will be hosted by Skopje.
World Football
Messi beats Van Dijk for sixth Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo comes third
December 3 – Lionel Messi is football. At least he is when it comes to award ceremonies with the Argentinean last night picking up a record sixth Ballon d’Or, edging Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk by a mere seven points.
Chilean anti-government violence forces cancellation of remainder of league season
December 2 – In an unprecedented move that has drawn football inexorably into the political arena, Chile has cancelled the entire rest of its domestic season following weeks of anti-government protests that have led to a reported 26 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.
CAF Confed Cup champions Zamalek have not paid players for four months
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 2 – Players of Zamalek, the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup winners, have been without wages for four months.
Flamengo continue their march to Doha laying waste to Palmeiras on the way
December 2 – Flamengo may have won the double, the domestic title and the Copa Libertadores, but even in the final rounds of the Brazilian league their scalps have severe ramifications. On Sunday, Palmeiras coach Mano Menezes and director of football Alexandre Mattos were dismissed following a 3-1 defeat at home against the newly crowned champions.
Infantino promises Africa £1bn and a new $200m pan-African super league
November 29 – On tour in Africa FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that he wants to invest more than $1 billion in the African game and found an African league.
Life for a life? FIFA gives murderous war criminal Ngaissona six year ban
November 29 – Almost a year after French authorities handed leading African football administrator Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to face war crimes, FIFA have banned him for six years and eight months.
Justice? Police chief Duckenfield escapes manslaughter conviction of Liverpool’s 96
November 29 – In a ruling that prompted outrage among relatives of the victims, the police commander in charge of operations at Britain’s worst sporting disaster, the Hillsborough stadium tragedy, was acquitted Thursday of gross negligence manslaughter.
Tributes pour in on passing of Dutch coach Pim Verbeek, aged 63
November 29 – Pim Verbeek has passed away at the age of 63 following a four-year battle with cancer. The Dutchman led Australia at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and earlier this year he guided Oman to the knock-out phase of the Asian Cup.
Liverpool share plans for boosting Anfield capacity to 61,000
November 29 – Liverpool begin the first stage of a public consultation exercise today for the proposed expansion of their Anfield stadium to a capacity of more than 61,000.
New TTFA boss Wallace tells FIFA there are no links with Warner
November 28 – New Trinidad and Tobago FA president William Wallace has written to FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura rejecting claims in local and international media that he and his newly elected colleagues had the support of disgraced and banned former FIFA vice president Jack Warner.
No pay no say: Pinnick fury as NFF tells Rohr to keep quiet on money and do his job
By Osasu Obayiuwana
November 28 – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reacted to Insideworldfootball’s interview with Gernot Rohr (pictured left), head coach of that country’s national team, by issuing him with an official reprimand.
World’s favourites Chapecoense hit by relegation but vow to come back stronger, again
November 28 – Chapecoense have been relegated from the Brazilian top flight, ending a six-year spell in the first division that was punctuated by the dramatic airline crash that killed 71 people three years ago.
Egypt’s Zamalek refuse to play CAF Super Cup in Qatar
November 27 – In a potentially serious blow to footballing geo-politics in the region, Zamalek of Egypt are refusing to go ahead with Africa’s Super Cup in Qatar in February.
Loophole keeps Russia clear of WADA ban demands for Euro 2020
November 27 – Russia will be able to compete at Euro 2020, and play its part in co-hosting the 12-city tournament in St. Petersburg, even if a four-year doping-related ban on the country comes into effect.