AFC to debut VAR from knockout stages at Asian Cup this month
January 4 – Asia is striking a blow for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system by introducing it in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup that gets under way this weekend.
From racism to homophobia: Chelsea’s toxic fans keep up their nasty work
January 4 – A Chelsea supporter has been banned from attending games for three years after being found guilty of homophobic chants during the club’s Premier League game at Brighton and Hove Albion last month.
LaLiga distributes €1.32bn of TV cash to clubs with Barca and Real topping payouts
January 4 – LaLiga has distributed more than €1.32 billion from broadcast revenue to with Barcelona and Real Madrid taking almost 25% of the pot with a combined €302 million.
AFC’s Roxburgh expects expanded 24-team Asian Cup to drive competitive development
By Andrew Warshaw
January 3 – He’s arguably the main man behind Asia’s football development, a low-key understated but highly knowledgable figure respected throughout international football with a contacts book as long as your arm.
Asian Cup: 552 players from 57 countries and 35 leagues, 8.2% of them playing in Qatar
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 3 – With just two days to go to the kick-off of the 17th edition of AFC Asian Cup in the UAE, figures show that Qatar hosts the highest number from among the 552 players registered in the Asian Cup 2019.
Bumper transfer windfall triggers record £62m profit for Chelsea
By David Owen
January 4 – Massive gains on player transfers helped Chelsea, the West London club controlled by Roman Abramovich, to run up a record profit for the year ending 30 June 2018. The club said that the after-tax figure reached £62 million. This was after a profit on player sales of £113 million.
UAE stadia upgraded and ready for AFC Asian Cup kick off this weekend
January 3 – For the first time in history eight stadiums will welcome 24 teams from across the Continent for the upcoming Asian Cup, the world’s second oldest continental competition.
Little club, big friends. Is Basaksehir takeover of the Turkish club hierarchy a political play?
January 3 – It is little surprise that eyebrows are being raised across Europe at the progress of the Istanbul club that are currently six points clear at the top of the Turkish league.
Qatari tax on ‘health-damaging’ goods will include alcohol
January 3 – Drinking alcohol at the World Cup in 2022 is already a highly sensitive subject and now Qatar are set to introduce a 100% tax on all alcohol sales.
Infantino opens 2019 with renewed speculation on 48-team Qatar 2022 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – Brand new year, same old rhetoric from FIFA about an expanded World Cup in 2022.
Chelsea land Pulisic in €64m deal but park him at Dortmund until next season
January 2 – No sooner has the January transfer window opened than cash-rich Chelsea are the first to strike, landing Borussia Dortmund forward Christian Pulisic for €64 million though loaning him back to the German club until the end of the season.
Afghan FA boss Karim denies sexual abuse charges insisting they are a ‘conspiracy’
January 2 – Banned Afghan football boss Keramuddin Karim (pictured) has broken his silence over allegations of sexual abuse by totally denying wrongdoing and suggesting his accusers may have invented the claims to help their applications for asylum in Europe.
Exclusive: 75% of the UAE Asian Cup 2019 players will be newcomers
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 2 – Out of the 552 players in the Asian Cup 2019, to be staged in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1, about 75% are taking part in the Asian football showpiece for the first time.
New Year policy rethink? Saudi reshuffle moves Al-Sheikh from sports to entertainment
By Paul Nicholson
January 2 – Saudi Arabia’s controversial Turki Al-Sheikh who as president of the General Sports Authority has involved himself in the international football market and its politics, has had his ministerial position re-organised with a move to chairman of the Entertainment Authority.
Pique builds his portfolio, buying FC Andorra via Kosmos investment vehicle
January 2 – Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has taken control of Spanish lower-league club FC Andorra for an undisclosed sum.