DAZN drops women’s football pay wall calling for stakeholders to unite around a ‘new deal’
January 18 – Streaming platform DAZN has dropped its pay wall for all women’s live football broadcasts for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
UAE cling on for point against Palestine on a night of passion in Doha
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 18 – Palestine drew 1-1 against ten-man United Arab Emirates to retain hopes of qualifying for the second round for the first time, but will be left to rue what could have been with striker Oday Dabbagh and the frontline not capitalising on a series of chances.
Klaveness says FIFA’s promised report on Qatar’s migrant work force is overdue
January 18 – The Norwegian football executive who rose to global acclaim when she got to her feet at the 2022 FIFA Congress to highlight the plight of migrant workers in Qatar, says she is still waiting for FIFA’s promised report into their treatment.
Cypriot players’ union demands protection for players after flare causes injury
January 18 – The Cypriot players’ union (PASP) has threatened to boycott matches in the country’s elite leagues unless authorities can guarantee the safety of players during matches.
Uzbekistan power past India with dominant first half display
January 18 – Group B hopefuls Uzbekistan were victorious over India in a match decided by a ferocious first-half display at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan.
AFCON fails to draw big crowds, but ticketing failure doesn’t help
January 16 – Fans trying to attend games at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast have been left frustrated even though matches have been played in half-empty stadiums.
Transfer talk: Kalvin Phillips soap opera rolls on, Chelsea add Broja to sales roster, Ramos could exit PSG
January 18 – As the Kalvin Phillips saga continues in Manchester, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have joined the race for the 28-year-old England international as the queue for the midfielder’s signature becomes increasingly bizarre.
Aussies squeeze past a stubborn Syrian defence
January 18 – Australia have booked their place in the last 16 of the Asian Cup with a match to spare after Jackson Irvine came to the rescue to overcome a dogged Syria 1-0.
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.