Zidane takes Real Madrid hot seat as Benitez is burned
By Andrew Warshaw
January 5 – Once again, a hugely experienced and knowledgable coach has been unable to make it at Real Madrid where demands are possibly higher than anywhere else.
World Football
Messi tops transfer value list, Hazard is at 3 with Kane and Sterling at 5 and 6
By Paul Nicholson
January 5 – Lionel Messi is worth €100 million more than Neymar and he is worth €66 million more than Luis Suarez who is the eighth most valuable player in Europe, according to a CIES Football Observatory ranking of the 100 most valuable players in the Big 5 European Leagues in England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy.
January transfer spending may beat £225m high. Arsenal set to be first out the blocks
By Mark Baber
January 4 – The January transfer window opened on Saturday for clubs in England, Scotland, Germany and France with expectations of a high spending round dependent on early sales to set the merry-go-round in motion.
Sleeping giant gently awakening? India open 2016 with SAFF Cup win
By Samindra Kunti
January 4 – India have won the South Asian Football Federation Cup (SAFF Cup) for the seventh time defeating Afghanistan 2-1 in the final to kick off 2016 on a high.
Europe mourns unexplained death of Ivory Coast’s Gohouri
January 4 – The tragic unexplained death of Steve Gohouri, the former Ivory Coast World Cup defender, has caused shock throughout his country and in Europe where he played most of his club football.
New Year noose tightens: Swiss hand over bank docs to US prosecutors
By Andrew Warshaw
December 31 – Switzerland’s federal justice authorities have handed over the first batch of bank documents to their US counterparts in relation to the corruption scandal that has engulfed FIFA’s north, south and central federations.
Nigeria: Battle for control of football must not become violent, says sports minister
By Mark Baber
December 30 – As the battle between rival factions for control of Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) hots up again, the country’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has warned “that violence will amount to a breakdown of law and order which will not solve the 14 month old crisis and will not be acceptable to the government.”
Energy FC expand player options with new PDL team in Oklahoma City
By Ben Nicholson
December 30 – Oklahoma City Energy FC is adding to its USL (United Soccer League) franchise with a PDL team (Premier Development League). The PDL is an amateur league tailored mostly for players under the age of 23 that attracts college players during their university’s off-season.
Is he or isn’t he? Banned Platini joins players at Dubai function
By Andrew Warshaw
December 30 – In what will be construed in some quarters as a deliberately defiant act, Michel Platini appears to have violated the terms of his eight-year FIFA ban after openly attending an awards ceremony and conference in Dubai.
China targets trillion $ sports growth as Wanda weaves its magic
December 30 – China’s drive to boost its sports business and make it a key part of its economy was given renewed emphasis this week by the country’s sports minister, Liu Peng (pictured). At the same time the Dalian Wanda Group that has been growing in sports via European acquisition announced it had set up its sports headquarters in Guangzhou, the Capital of Guangdong province.
CONCACAF and its big money consultants accused of breaking its own laws
By Paul Nicholson
December 29 – The confederation that can’t seem to put a governance foot in the right direction is now being accused by its own federations of breaking its own statutes by not appointing an interim president.
Santa delivers Rangers an Ashley-free Christmas and a big win against Hibs
By Paul Nicholson
December 29 – Christmas came twice this year for the legions of Rangers fans who have despaired over the enforced relegation of the Scottish giants from the Scottish Premier League and the club’s on-going ownership battles, not least the situation regarding the corporate marauder from England, Mike Ashley, and his former vice-like grip over the club via his financial power.
Rome picks prospective Olympic football venues for 2024
By David Owen
December 29 – The famous San Siro stadium in Milan, designated host of this season’s UEFA Champions League final, has been selected along with 10 other venues to stage matches in the 2024 Olympic Games football tournament if Rome succeeds in beating its three rivals.
Spurs investor group opts for USL franchise as stepping stone to MLS
By Ben Nicholson
December29 – Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SSE) has announced that it will operate a United Soccer League (USL) franchise in 2016, after reaching agreements with Bexar County and the City of San Antonio. This is the provisional step for the ultimate end of obtaining an MLS franchise in San Antonio, Texas.
Scots add third shirt space for sponsor logos
December 29 – Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs have been given the option of an extra ad space to sell on the their shirts for sponsors logos from the start of next season.