CSL club Jiangsu Suning leverage owner network with $43m Samsung deal
December 10 – Chinese Super League Jiangsu Suning have signed Korean electronics brand Samsung as a main sponsor for three seasons starting with the 2019 season.
Qatar 2022: Infantino sets March 2019 deadline for 48-team expansion decision
December 10 – Gianni Infantino has confirmed that FIFA will definitely decide in March whether the 2022 World Cup in Qatar can be expanded to 48 teams, though the likelihood of the concept being brought forward from the 2026 tournament appears to be receding.
UAE’s Al-Rumaithi and Qatar’s Al Mohannadi join the race for the AFC presidency
By Paul Nicholson
December 7 – The UAE are officially putting forward a candidate for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) presidency of the regional confederation whose elections take place April 6 in Kuala Lumpur next year.As is Qatar. Both nominations came in before yesterday’s midnight deadline last night.
FifaGate: Criminal conspirator Salguero gets free pass for co-operating with FBI
September 7 – Former Guatemala football chief and one-time FIFA executive committee member Rafael Salguero avoided a jail term when he was sentenced on Thursday to time served, releasing him from house arrest following his role in the FifaGate corruption scandal.
Ivory Coast anger as Ahmad shunts AFCON hosting to 2023, handing 2021 to Cameroon
December 7 – The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has reacted furiously to the latest curve ball thrown by African football chief Ahmad Ahmad.
Spanish police prepare massive security operation for Copa Libertadores final
By Samindra Kunti in Madrid
December 7 – On Sunday, at last, the final of all finals will come to an end as River Plate and Boca Juniors face off for glory in the Copa Libertadores in Madrid. Governing body Conmebol shifted the game over security concerns to the Spanish capital, where a huge security operation is underway.
French ‘yellow vest’ protests force postponement of three more Ligue 1 matches
December 7 – Three more top-flight French games this weekend have been postponed amid fears of further violent ‘yellow vest’ protests in France over social inequality and living standards.
Peruvian FA boss Oviedo arrested over Russia 2018 ticket fraud
December 7 – Peruvian Football Federation president Edwin Oviedo (pictured) has been arrested over his alleged role in a criminal network that paid for several judges to attend last summer’s World Cup, Peru’s first appearance in the finals for 36 years.
Point of principal: Brazil coach Tite refuses to mix politics and national team duty
December 7 – Tite and the Brazilian national team will not meet with newly elected president Jair Bolsonaro before or after the Copa America, the Brazil coach has said. Before the World Cup in Russia Tite had also refused to meet outgoing president Michel Temer.
Leicester helicopter crash was caused by mechanical failure
December 7 – The helicopter which crashed last month tragically killing Leicester City’s Thai chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha spun out of control because of the failure of the tail rotor mechanism, according to air accident investigators.
Europe is the growth opportunity for DFS gaming, say Malta summit speakers
December 7 – The Daily Fantasy Sports sectoris alive and well, was the message coming out of the Summit of iGaming Malta (SiGMA) session on the fantasy gaming sector.
Integrity bypass? Saudis attempt to buy their way to respectability with Italian Super Cup
December 6 – The global condemnation of Saudi Arabia for its role in the brutal murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi appears to have had little effect on top-flight Italian football administrators.
Egypt pull out of 2019 AFCON hosting race, leaving Morocco and SA to battle it out
December 6 – The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has pulled out of the bidding race for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, saying it “will not compete with another Arabic country.” Morocco and South Africa remain as favourites to host the continent’s flagship competition.
UEFA Women’s Football signs Visa in ground-breaking 7-year sponsor deal
December 6 – UEFA Women’s Football has signed a landmark seven-year sponsorship with Visa that will run until 2025.
Reluctant Boca and River Plate land in Madrid for Copa Libertadores finale
December 6 – After all the criticism about playing on neutral ground thousands of miles from Buenos Aires, Boca Juniors and River Plate have both arrived in Madrid for the eagerly anticipated twice postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg.