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?
Champagne moment for FIFA as limited-edition bottle launched by Taittinger
By David Owen
December 7 – It may come as a bit of a kick in the teeth to Russia’s sparkling wine industry, but Taittinger has just launched a limited-edition 2018 World Cup souvenir bottle of its highly-regarded Brut Réserve NV champagne.
IOC bans Russia 2018 supremo Mutko from all Olympic events over doping scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
December 6 – The position of Russian World Cup supremo Vitaly Mutko has been catapulted back into the spotlight following the International Olympic Committee’s far-reaching decision to ban all Russian athletes from competing under their own flag at next year’s winter Olympics as punishment for a state-sponsored doping programme.
FIFA’s lifting of Kuwait ban opens door for staging of Gulf Cup in Qatar
By Andrew Warshaw
December 6 – Organisers of this month’s Gulf Cup in Qatar look set to imminently announce whether the event can go ahead, with prospects given a huge boost by FIFA lifting its suspension of Kuwait after two years in the sporting wilderness.
ICSS launches whistleblower hotline for the US and Canada
December 6 – The US, whose law enforcement bodies are intent on cleaning up world football and its global corruption surrounding high value marketing rights in the Americas, now has a dedicated whistleblower line for athletes, sports execs and even members of the public who want to report misconduct.
Bility and Liberian FA accelerate war on whistleblower Woodson, with second suspension
By Paul Nicholson
December 6 – The iron fist of democracy with which Musa Bility rules the Liberian FA (LFA) has once again landed on his arch critic Rochell Woodson who has been suspended for a second time by the LFA from fulfilling her duties as an executive committee member.
Mbappé beats Dele Alli to top transfer value spot. Six players at English clubs make top 10
December 6 – French prodigy Kylian Mbappé tops the ranking by transfer value of U21 players in the big-5 European leagues. The PSG striker takes over the lead spot from Spurs’ Dele Alli.
Mexican stand-off? Speculation on World Cup hosting borders on fantasy? But it’s a good tale
December 6 – Unlikely as it may seem, FIFA are reportedly considering the option of pushing back Qatar’s staging of the World Cup to 2026 because of the current impasse in the area – and splitting 2022 between the United States, Canada and Mexico who are bidding for the later tournament.
Catching the big fish. Traffic’s Hawilla testifies in trial of Marin, Napout and Burga
December 5 – A prominent Brazilian businessman testified on Monday that he participated in a bribery scheme to buy the influence of key FIFA officials in order to win commercial rights to major tournaments, a decision he later regretted.
Gulati calls an end to his US presidency after 12 years at the top
December 5 – After considerable reflection Sunil Gulati has ruled himself out of contesting the presidential election for the US Soccer Federation (USSF). Gulati is standing aside after the United States’ abject failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and having been head of the USSF for 12 years.
Messi brutally hacked down with no video ref in sight
December 5 – For the second time this year, a bronze statue of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has been vandalised in Buenos Aires with the motive unclear.
Italy’s Frosinone launch bond via Tifosy offering 8% return
December 5 – Italian Serie B club Frosinone has launched a mini-bond to raise €1 million to invest in stadium upgrades that will in turn drive commercial revenue for the club. It is the first fund-raising of its kind in Italian club football.
Clubs to get $8.5k per player per day from 2018 World Cup
By David Owen
December 5 – Clubs which supply squad members for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia can look forward to massively increased payments of around $8,530 per player per day, in recognition of their “contribution to the successful staging” of the tournament.
Attendance table: Double top for Chelsea as West Brom slump after visit of Toon Army
December 5 – Mid-week evening fixtures are more popular – just – than weekend fixtures, if rounds 14 and 15 of the Premier League schedule are an indicator.
Spurs new stadium costs forecast to come in between £750-800m
December 5 – Tottenham Hotspur have said that the construction costs for the club’s new stadium on the site of the old White Hart Lane ground are still forecast come in between £750 million and £800 million, and not hit the £1 billion cost reported.