Naki claims shooting attempt was work of a Turkish death squad in Germany
January 9 – German prosecutors have opened an attempted murder investigation after a German-Turkish player known for his pro-Kurdish views was shot at on a motorway.
Dortmund bus bomber tells court he didn’t want to kill anyone
January 9 – The suspect in the attack on Borussia Dortmund’s team bus that led to last season’s Champions League quarter-final with AS Monaco being postponed for 24 hours has admitted to carrying out the attack but says he did not intend to kill or injure anyone.
Swansea’s Kaplan and Levien halt share talks to focus on Premier League survival
January 9 – Swansea City’s majority owners have suspended talks to acquire a further 10% of the club’s shares – they currently hold 68% – while they focus “time, energy and resources” into battling relegation. The club are currently bottom of the Premier League.
Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge rebuild hit by further delays over complex demolition
January 9 – Chelsea’s redevelopment of their Stamford Bridge stadium has been put back another year with the club now unlikely to move into the new ground until 2024, but perhaps even in 2025.
Saudis take first steps to open stadiums to women spectators
January 9 – In a move that western human rights groups – and perhaps others closer to home – may view with some scepticism, Saudi Arabian women are being allowed to attend major domestic football matches for the first time.
News analysis: Wenger outgunned in New Year cup of unkindness
By Andrew Warshaw
January 8 – When the draw is made for the last 32 of the world’s oldest and most revered domestic cup competition this evening, the name of one club will be conspicuous by its absence in the famous velvet bag.
AFC tasks Sportradar to take fight against match-fixing criminals to next level
January 8 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has boosted its anti-matchfixing armoury via a renewed deal with Sportradar that will see the sports integrity specialists expand their servies to include investigations beyond just identifying fraud on the pitch.
Chiyangwa cashes in as Zimbabwe FA hits financial crisis and calls for help
January 8 – Zimbabwe’s, under the oversight of new Sports Minister Raymond Kazembe, is working to put the sport’s finances on a more solid footing, with an extraordinary general meeting of ZIFA having been arranged and a new sponsorship for key teams in the offing. Meanwhile it has emerged ZIFA President Philip Chiyangwa earned $72,000 in 2017 from renting out his offices to the association.
Mourinho vs Conte: Little men making a big noise
January 8 – Mind games between managers are nothing new. Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson was a past master at it.
Yorkshire wins nation status, and organises battle of giants against Isle of Man
January 8 – The non-FIFA Confederation of International Football Associations (CONIFA) ratified the membership of Yorkshire on Saturday. Yorkshire will play its first friendly against the Isle of Man in January.
Oman clinch Gulf Cup after penalty shoot out drama with UAE
January 8 – Oman is celebrating only its second ever Gulf cup title but last Friday’s victory over the United Arab Emirates was marred by at least 40 fans being injured after a glass barrier collapsed.
New year, new club? Man City owners keep up expansion drive with Indian rumours
January 8 – Manchester City’s holding company City Football Group (CFG) is exploring further club expansion with India, the world’s second most populous nation, looking like the next market for acquisition.
Wenger marvels at Weah’s success and ponders a trip to his inauguration
January 8 – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may be enduring arguably the toughest period of his Arsenal career but he has friends in a number of high places not least Liberia where newly elected George Weah, who has made the remarkable transition from world-famous footballer to president, has invited him to his inauguration later this month.
The Anfield way? Coutinho follows Suarez as Barca seal £142m with Liverpool
January 8 – The protracted transfer of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool to Barcelona has finally gone through with the Catalan giants paying what will effectively amount to the third highest fee of all time to land the coveted Brazilian playmaker.
Brighton and Crystal Palace to test VAR in FA Cup tonight
January 8 – Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology makes its long-awaited debut in English football tonight when Brighton face Crystal Palace in the last of the FA Cup third-round fixtures.