Ronaldo equals Messi winning Ballon d’Or for fifth time
December 8 – Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d‘Or for world player of the year on Thursday for a joint-record fifth time, equalling the feat of Lionel Messi.
Hope Solo enters race for US Soccer’s top job
December 8 – Hope Solo, the United States’ World Cup-winning goalkeeper, has thrown her hat into the ring for presidency of the US Soccer Federation, taking the number of declared candidates to eight.
Inter top 7 million Facebook likes as content build starts to pay off
December 8 – Inter Milan, who have invested in building their content division via their new Inter Media House facilities, are seeing an immediate benefit with the club announcing they have passed the seven million fans mark on Facebook.
£2.6m for Arsenal’s top Gunner Gazidis
By David Owen
December 8 – Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis was paid over £2.6 million in emoluments over the year to May 31. A breakdown included in the annual accounts of Arsenal Holdings plc, recently filed at Companies House, reveals that on top of a basic salary of £1.67 million, Gazidis received a £919,000 bonus and pension and benefits totalling £29,000.
UEFA see red over Carvajal’s ‘deliberate’ yellow
December 8 – Good try but not good enough. Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal will miss the first leg of the Champions League last 16 after he was found by UEFA to have got himself deliberately booked for time-wasting in the last month’s 6-0 win at Apoel Nicosia.
Nottingham Forest reach out to Jamaican diaspora with anniversary celebrations
December 8 – Nottingham Forest have announced they will include as part of their diversity programme an initiative to embrace the Jamaican diaspora in Nottingham and the contribution they have made to the city.
FIFA gate trial: Tournaments that were never played, bribes that were, and pedicures
December 7 – A Brazilian marketing executive has told the FifaGate trial in New York how he helped set up an enticing bribe to powerful South American football officials to secure the rights for a new tournament that never happened.
Roma get go-ahead to build new 52,500 football Colosseum
December 7 – Serie A side AS Roma have been given the go-ahead to build their own stadium after an on-off project planning process that has taken five years to complete.
From out in the cold to the red hot centre. Qatar offers Kuwait Gulf Cup hosting rights
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – In an unexpected twist, Qatar has offered Kuwait the chance to take over as host nation of the forthcoming Gulf Cup in order to ensure full participation of those eligible to take part, according to unconfirmed local reports.
Russian racism returns as Spartak player targets Liverpool’s Brewster in Youth League
December 12 – Already reeling from the doping scandal that has reverberated through world sport, Russian football has been hit with its latest claim of racism, this time against Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster who has alleged he was abused by a Spartak Moscow player during a UEFA Youth League game on Wednesday.
AFC boosts prize money for 2018 Champions League and AFC Cup
December 7 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a significant boost in prize money for the second year running for its growing regional club competitions.
2018 World Cup ticket demand rockets with 1.3m requests in 24 hours
December 7 – It has been a slow burn but ticket sales have suddenly ignited for the Russia 2018 World Cup following the Final Draw last Friday. 1,318,109 tickets were requested in the first 24 hours from when the sales window opened December 6.
Pinnick apologises to Nigeria’s neglected women’s team with promise of new dawn
December 7 – The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has apologised for neglecting Nigeria’s women national team. The Super Falcons haven’t played a single match since winning the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON).
Aussies stay in control of FFA as FIFA commits to another round of reform talk
December 7 – Australian football has won a stay of execution after FIFA decided not to take over the running of the sport in the midst of an internal power struggle.
Premier League teams make mark on Champions League with 5 though to last 16
December 7 – Are English transfer fees at last paying off at European level after Premier League clubs made Champions League history?