Virgil Van Dijk heads aerial ranking
January 18 – Liverpool skipper Virgil Van Dijk has been revealed as the most aerially dominant central defender in world football, according to the latest study by the CIES Football Observatory.
Group C: Hong Kong reinforced for duel with high flying Iran
January 18 – Hong Kong manager Jorn Andersen has promised that his side will peak for their David-vs-Goliath clash against continental heavyweights Iran and improve from their 4-0 defeat in November in World Cup qualifying.
New report identifies ESG as key in sponsorship decision making, with AI looming
January 1 – Brands are continuing to make ESG (environmental, social, and governance) as the most important criteria in their sponsorship decisions, according to a new report.
Six tech start-ups picked to form first year of MLS Innovation Lab
January 18 – Major League Soccer has named six tech start-ups who will form the launch companies supported by the new MLS Innovation Lab.
Date set for Man City financial rule breach hearing
January 17 – A date has been set for European champions Manchester City’s hearing regarding 115 alleged rule breaches – but it’s being kept secret for the moment.
Benzema files defamation suit against Gerald Darmanin for suggested Muslim Brotherhood links
January 17 – French football icon Karim Benzema has filed a defamation lawsuit against the country’s interior minister for accusing him last year of having “notorious” links with the Muslim Brotherhood.
African Cup of Upsets sees Namibia rubbish the form book with Tunisia win
January 17 – In a tournament already producing a slew of upsets, Namibia pulled off the biggest so far when they beat Tunisia 1-0 for their first ever African Cup of Nations win.
Italian Supercoppa set for Saudi kick-off with Puma on hand to get the ball rolling
January 17 – With Saudi Arabia set to host Italy’s Supercoppa for the fourth time, Puma have unveiled a dedicated match ball designed specifically for 2024 edition.
Transfer talk: Ait-Nouri attracts big club interest, Thiago ponders Saudi move as Henderson finalises exit
January 17 – Arsenal and Liverpool are both interested in pursuing a deal for 22-year-old Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri (pictured). The Algeria international has impressed under Gary O’Neil, attracting interest from top clubs looking for a left-footed defender to join their ranks.
Kay Bernstein, Herta Berlin ultra who became president, dies, aged 43
January 17 – Hertha Berlin president Kay Bernstein, a former supporter who surprisingly took over the presidency of the club in 2022, has died suddenly at the age of 43, the club said in a statement.
Bayern add Bitpanda as crypto partner
January 17 – FC Bayern Munich have agreed a multi-year partnership with Bitpanda which will see the financial technology company become the record German champions’ new Platinum Partner and official crypto trading partner for the first time.
Qatar beat unravelling Tajikistan to secure last 16 spot
January 17 – Qatar have booked their place in the Asian Cup Round of 16 after defeating Tajikistan 1-0 in a hard-fought victory at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Group B: Aussies push for second win, Uzbeks look to get points on the board
January 17 – Australia manager Graham Arnold has urged his team to deploy their arial threat against Syria while India’s Igor Stimac wants his team to put in another compact performance but with a better outcome against Uzbekistan.
Lebanese hit woodwork as China settle for a second 0-0
January 17 – In a war of attrition, China played out their second goalless draw of the tournament, failing to find the net against Lebanon in their Group A encounter.
Palestine confident of finding focus ahead of UAE clash
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 17 – On the eve of their second Group B match with the United Arab Emirates, Palestine manager Makram Daboub said his side will draw lessons from their lack of focus in the heavy defeat against Iran, but remained confident of his team’s chances to make the round of 16.