Morocco pull out of 2019 AFCON hosting. CAF bid deadline tomorrow
December 13 – Morocco have pulled out of the running to step in as replacement hosts of next June’s African Nations Cup leaving South Africa and Egypt as front-runners.
FIFA suspends Keram over sexual abuse charges after Afghan government takes action
December 13 – Just days after Afghan Football Federation president Keramuddin Keram was removed from office by the country’s attorney general while allegations of sexual abuse against members of the country’s women’s national team are investigated, FIFA has followed suit by banning him due to the ongoing probe.
Top-flight arrival sees Brighton soar into the black with £50m turnaround
By David Owen
December 13 – Brighton and Hove Albion, the south-coast club who have adapted well to life in the Premier League since their promotion in 2017, have announced a profit for the first time in their recent history.
Balkan bid quartet plan meet to discuss 2030 World Cup bid
December 13 – Despite UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin’s preference for one sole bid from Europe, a Balkan grouping of countries hoping to stage the 2030 World Cup say they have just as realistic a chance as anyone else.
West Ham do deal with LLDC on expanding London Stadium capacity
December 13 – The fractious relationship between Premier League club West Ham and their London Stadium landlords appears to have reached a break in hostilities with the club agreeing to pay about £450,000 extra per season to use London Stadium if the capacity is raised to 66,000 from the current 57,000.
SIGA and UNESCO partner for ‘A Business Case for Sport Integrity’ initiative
December 13 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) have partnered to raise the level of Sport Integrity within national governments via a research and profile-building project titled ‘A Business Case for Sport Integrity’.
With beoutQ piracy rampant, beIN Sport protests Serie A’s Super Cup ‘reward’ for Saudis
By Paul Nicholson
December 12 – Qatar-based pan-regional broadcaster beIN Sport has written to Serie A to ask the Italian league to reconsider the recently announced three-year deal for the staging of the Italian Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA hold Qatar summit with focus on future of global competition calendar
December 12 – Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup is reported to be one of the key discussion points at the latest FIFA executive summit currently taking place in in Qatar and involving over 50 FIFA federations from five continents, including 18 from Asia.
CAF’s Ahmad denies he rigged the stripping of AFCON 2019 from Cameroon
December 12 – The head of African football has denied that he orchestrated the move to strip Cameroon of hosting rights for next year’s African Nations Cup, saying it was a collective decision by his confederation’s inner circle.
Ashley’s Newcastle sale battling for time against January transfer window
December 12 – The chances of Mike Ashley exiting Newcastle United before the January transfer window opens and Peter Kenyon re-entering Premier League club football are looking slimmer.
Life without Messi and Ronaldo: what next for LaLiga?
December 12 – As Spanish football manages an international transition from the individual appeal of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the KPMG Football Benchmark team has taken a look at the impact this could have on LaLiga’s business.
11 for 8: UEFA names executive committee candidates for Feb election
December 12 – UEFA have announced that 11 candidates, including the female member, are to stand for eight available places on its executive committee when elections take place at UEFA’s annual congress in February.
Ouseley to step down at Kick It Out, with challenge to football to make ‘lasting change’
December 12 – Lord Herman Ouseley is to stand down as chairman of British football’s anti-discrimination group Kick It Out at the end of the season.
Atlanta’s MLS Cup win over Portland breaks Fox streaming records
December 12 – Atlanta United’s 2-0 win over Portland Timbers at the weekend is the most watched MLS Cup since 1997.
Boban defends FIFA boss but admits flaws in £25bn sell-off plan and push for 48-team 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
December 11 – Gianni Infantino’s closest technical advisor, Zvonimir Boban, has publicly ruled out the Qatar World Cup in 2022 being expanded to 48 teams – unless it definitely shares the tournament with its neighbours.