The ‘Don’ commissioned for another two seasons as MLS boss
December 5 – The ‘Don’ of Major League Soccer (MLS), commissioner Don Garber, has had his contract extended to the end of the 2027 MLS season by the board of governors.
World Football
Canadian Tire signs on as founding partner of Northern Super League
December 5 – The Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s football league, has unveiled Canadian Tire Corporation as a Founding Partner in a landmark multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement.
Wales secure Women’s Euro 2025 slot with historic play-off win over Ireland
December 4 – Wales made footballing history on Tuesday by reaching a major women’s tournament for the first time after qualifying for next year’s Euros in Switzerland.
Rouge Groupe sees red over Marseilles fans’ homophobic chanting
December 4 – A French campaign group has renewed calls for authorities to take action against homophobic chanting by fans, singling out Marseille supporters for belting out anti-gay slurs “with complete impunity” during a home game against Monaco on Sunday.
St Louis’ CityPark stadium wins global design award
December 4 – CityPark stadium, the home of Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City, has been awarded the 2024 Prix Versailles World Title in the sports venues category.
Fernando Simões ousts controversial Artur Almeida e Silva as Angola FA president
December 4 – Fernando Simões has succeeded Artur Almeida e Silva as the boss of Angolan football after winning the presidential elections at the Angolan Football Federation (FAF).
Romania to appeal UEFA fine over abandoned Kosovo game at CAS
December 4 – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has announced that it will appeal UEFA’s sanctions following incidents during the Nations League match between Romania and Kosovo in Bucharest on November 15.
UEFA draw groups of U21 finals. Holders England face Germany, Spain drawn with Italy
December 4 – The groups for the upcoming UEFA U21 European Championships, to be played in Slovakia 11-28 June 2025, have been decided following the draw ceremony in Bratislava on Tuesday.
New York City FC breaks ground on $780m Etihad Park
December 4 – Later today New York City FC will break ground on Etihad Park, its new 25,000 capacity stadium in Willets Point, Queens, that will be completed in time for the start of the 2027 season.
USSF prices top coaches out the game with world leading costs for courses
December 3 – It has been said that one of the biggest problems concerning player development in the United States is the lack of quality coaches. From mom and pop volunteers, to various forms of unqualified enthusiasts, the tactical, technical, physical, and mental side of football are given short thrift in search of easy wins, and a quick buck.
Messi and Ronaldo make final nominees list for Fifpro world team of the year
December 3 – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be in the twilight of their careers and no longer with top European teams but it seems their peers still have huge respect for them both.
Lamine Yamal’s Real Madrid abusers handed stadium bans and fines
December 3 – Four fans accused of racially insulting forward Lamine Yamal and other Barcelona players during last month’s league ‘clasico’ at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium are set to be banned from Spanish stadiums for a year.
Chris Coleman takes over at Belgium’s OH Leuven
December 3 – Chris Coleman has been named the new manager of OH Leuven following the departure of Oscar Garcia.
RBFA kicks off Project Fenix with Orion Innovation to digitally transform Belgian game
December 3 – The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has brought in digital tech specialists Orion Innovation to overhaul the FA’s digital infrastructure.
At least 56 killed in violent clashes at club match in Guinea
December 2 – A match in Guinea’s second-largest city, Nzérékoré, turned deadly as violent clashes led to a stampede, resulting in at least 56 fatalities on Sunday, according to government reports.