Côte d’Ivoire ready for long-awaited AFCON kick off
January 5 – Côte d’Ivoire FA president Yacine Idriss Diallo says everything is ready in terms of preparations for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.
World Football
Turks tender TV rights for new 3-year Super Lig cycle
January 5 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has launched a tender for the broadcasting rights for the matches of the country’s top two football leagues – Super Lig and First Lig for the next three seasons.
Transfer talk: Firmino for Fulham, Chelsea clearout, Bayern eye Tomori
January 5 – Despite being welcomed to Saudi Arabia as one of its league’s marquee summer signings, Brazilian centre-forward Roberto Firmino (pictured) is on the verge of a return to the Premier League, with Fulham leading the chase for the ex-Liverpool man.
Pixbet agrees record shirt sponsorship with Flamengo
January 5 – Betting operator Pixbet has expanded its partnership with leading Brazilian club Flamengo with a new two-year shirt sponsor deal.
Portland Thorns sells for record $63m to Raj Sports
January 5 – NWSL club Portland Thorns have been sold for $63 million, a record for the acquisition of a women’s club.
Should I stay or should I go? Mbappé prevaricates
January 4 – Kylian Mbappé says he has yet to decide whether he will sign a new contract to stay at Paris St. Germain beyond this season or leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Transfer rumours: No Saudi for Salah, Olise to replace Sancho at Man Utd, taxi for Eddie Howe?
January 4 – Mohamed Salah’s future looks to have swung in favour of staying with Liverpool, with the 31-year-old reportedly leaning towards signing a new contract at the Merseyside club. The Egyptian’s current contract at Anfield runs out in the summer of 2025.
Levski Sofia agree three-year deal to repay debt owed to Bulgarian state
June 4 – Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia have successfully concluded negotiations with the country’s National Revenue Agency (NRA) to reschedule debt owed to the state over the next three years.
777 Partners-owned Standard Liège post losses of €20m+
January 3 – Belgian club Standard Liège have posted more than €20 million in losses for the 2022-23 season, bringing further damages to its finances and threatening the club’s future.
Transfer talk: Newcastle United not in a rush, Man Utd need one, and where will Mbappe end up?
January 3 – Newcastle United’s pursuit of Kalvin Phillips could be in doubt after the club said they are ‘determined’ not to be too reactive to recent injury issues that have corresponded with a slump in form. The change of heart over Phillips has firmly placed French Champions PSG in the front seat to sign the Manchester City midfielder after expressing keen interest this week.
Brazil’s Sao Paulo secure record naming rights deal for the MorumBIS Stadium
January 3 – Brazil’s São Paulo has closed a R$ 25 million ($5 million) a year naming rights deal with confectionery giant Mondelez and its BIS chocolate brand.
North Macedonia capital Skopje angers FC Shkupi after giving cash to city rivals Vardar
January 3 – The city of Skopje in North Macedonia has committed €200,000 in financial assistance to local club Vardar Skopje, angering the capital city’s other top tier team, Shkupi, who are not being financially supported and say the actions of the Municipality of Skopje are discriminatory.
Red Star fury over allegations former coach Barak Bahar is owed wages
January 8 – Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) has reacted angrily to reports that the club is to be sued by former coach Barak Bahar (pictured) over unpaid wages.
Turkish Super Cup called off after Saudi organisers ban Ataturk t-shirts and banners
January 2 – Turkey and Saudi Arabia are blaming each other for the embarrassing last-minute abandonment of the Turkish Super Cup final between arch-rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce which had been due to take place in Riyadh last Friday.
Somalis kick-off vital inter-state tournament at Stadium Mogadishu
January 2 – The Somali capital Mogadishu has swapped the sound of gunfire for the cheers of fans as tens of thousands of supporters hailing from various corners of the nation converged for the Somali Inter-State football tournament.