777 Partners-owned Standard Liège post losses of €20m+
January 3 – Belgian club Standard Liège have posted more than €20 million in losses for the 2022-23 season, bringing further damages to its finances and threatening the club’s future.
Hong Kong embarrass China with Asian Cup warm-up win behind closed doors
January 3 – In a warm-up match for the Asian Cup that was as much about symbolism as football, Hong Kong beat China for the first time in nearly 30 years in a friendly in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Transfer talk: Newcastle United not in a rush, Man Utd need one, and where will Mbappe end up?
January 3 – Newcastle United’s pursuit of Kalvin Phillips could be in doubt after the club said they are ‘determined’ not to be too reactive to recent injury issues that have corresponded with a slump in form. The change of heart over Phillips has firmly placed French Champions PSG in the front seat to sign the Manchester City midfielder after expressing keen interest this week.
Players to watch: CIES ranks world’s leading young talent by position
January 3 – The CIES Football Observatory has ranked 270 players to watch with England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham (pictured) leading the pack in a report focussed on young and developing players born in 2003 or later.
Japan name injured Mitoma in Asian Cup squad alongside 21 players from European clubs
January 3 – Japan have called up Brighton and Hove Albion standout forward Kaoru Mitoma for their Asian Cup squad despite Mitoma currently being sidelined by injury.
Brazil’s Sao Paulo secure record naming rights deal for the MorumBIS Stadium
January 3 – Brazil’s São Paulo has closed a R$ 25 million ($5 million) a year naming rights deal with confectionery giant Mondelez and its BIS chocolate brand.
North Macedonia capital Skopje angers FC Shkupi after giving cash to city rivals Vardar
January 3 – The city of Skopje in North Macedonia has committed €200,000 in financial assistance to local club Vardar Skopje, angering the capital city’s other top tier team, Shkupi, who are not being financially supported and say the actions of the Municipality of Skopje are discriminatory.
Former Dutch and Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt takes on head coach role at Belgium’s Beerschot
January 3 – Belgian second-division club Beerschot have appointed former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt as head coach.
AFC kicks off revamped Knowledge Sharing Programme
January 3 – The AFC has unveiled the inaugural AFC Knowledge Sharing Programme 2024, spotlighting its drive to enhance the capabilities of its Member Associations (MA) and Regional Associations (RA) and establish football as the primary sport across the continent.
2015 Asian Cup
The 2015 AFC Asian Cup saw the competition go down under for the first time as Australia stepped up to host the tournament, with Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney all providing venues and Stadium Australia the venue for the final.
Red Star fury over allegations former coach Barak Bahar is owed wages
January 8 – Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) has reacted angrily to reports that the club is to be sued by former coach Barak Bahar (pictured) over unpaid wages.
2011 Asian Cup
The 2011 AFC Asian Cup saw the tournament head back to the desert as Qatar hosted the tournament for the second time.
2007 Asian Cup
The AFC Asian Cup had taken place every year every four years since the first tournament in 1956. However, for the 14th edition of the tournament, the AFC made the decision to change the tradition as the tournament always clashed in the same year as the Summer Olympics and the European Championships, so the next tournament was scheduled for 2007, with the four-yearly cycle continuing from there.
2004 Asian Cup
The 2004 AFC Asian Cup in China PR was the biggest tournament yet, with an expanded finals tournament from 12 to 16 nations as the membership of the confederation grew to 45 members.
Asian Cup 2000
The new millennium saw over 40 countries enter the Asian Cup hoping to dethrone holders Saudi Arabia, with the tournament being held in Lebanon for the first time.