Chelsea’s Mudryk tests positive for doping
December 17 – Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football following a positive drugs test, according to the Football Association.
Udinese’s redeveloping Bluenergy Stadium awarded UEFA Super Cup 2025 final
December 17 – Udinese Calcio’s Bluenergy Stadium has been confirmed by UEFA as the venue for the Super Cup 2025, marking the competition’s first venture on to Italian soil.
BBC and ITV agree shared broadcast deals for 2026 and 2030 World Cups
December 17 – BBC Sport and ITV have renewed their deal to share live coverage of the men’s World Cup for both 2026 and 2030 editions, ensuring continued free-to-air access for football fans across the UK.
FC Urban and Equip Sport win Champions Innovate start-up finding
December 17 – The two start-ups selected for the second edition of Champions Innovate, UEFA’s pioneering programme promoting active and healthy lifestyles around the 2025 Champions League final, have been announced: Mastercard will collaborate with FC Urban, while adidas will partner with Equip Sport.
Sportdigital secures AFC championships in German-speaking markets for further 5 years
December 16 – The AFC has extended its media partnership with Sportdigital in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for the 2025-2028 cycle.
Croatian capital Zagreb commits €40m to rebuilding of Kranjčevićeva stadium
December 17 – Following a public consultation, the city of Zagreb has issued a tender for the reconstruction of the Kranjčevićeva stadium in Croatia’s capital.
Concacaf and MLS sign on for invitation-only business conference before Nations League finals
December 17 – Sports Business Journal and sister company Leaders in Sport will hold a soccer-focussed business of football conference next March 19-20, 2025 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.
Ukraine complain after graphic at FIFA 2026 draw omits Crimea
December 16 – FIFA has been criticised by Ukraine for an “unacceptable error” after it appeared to exclude Crimea as part of the country during last week’s European draw for the 2026 World Cup.
Rodriguez quits Liga MX after clubs refuse to back $1.25bn Apollo deal
December 16 – Juan Carlos Rodríguez, the president of Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), resigned on Friday during a meeting of Liga MX club owners who disagreed with his proposed investment strategy for the league.
Saints and Wolves fire managers as gap opens at bottom of Premier League
December 16 – The Premier League’s bottom two clubs both sacked their managers on Sunday as Gary O’Neil was dismissed by Wolverhampton Wanderers, followed by Southampton parting company with Russell Martin.
Wiesenhof build on Euro 2024 sponsorship with 2025 commitment
December 16 – UEFA has announced that German poultry producer Wiesenhof has become an Official National Partner for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, set to take place in Switzerland from 2 to 27 July. It is the company’s first sponsorship of the tournament.
German power brokers Neuendorf and Watzke endorsed again for FIFA and UEFA roles
December 16 – The German FA (DFB) have backed Bernd Neuendorf and Hans-Joachim Watzke for re-election to the FIFA Council and UEFA executive committee respectively.
Laced: English FA boss Debbie Hewitt forced to justify support for Saudi Arabia 2034
December 16 – English FA president Debbie Hewitt has defended her organisation’s backing of Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup, a decision that FIFA and its membership rubber-stamped last week.
US women stay top of the world as ranking grows to 195 nations
December 16 – The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) will close out 2024 at the summit of the FIFA world rankings, reclaiming their dominance after a turbulent year. The latest update, released on Friday, confirms their position ahead of reigning World Cup champions Spain, who remain in second place.
Bochum and Union Berlin walk to draw after Drewes hit on head by missile
December 16 – Bochum will protest to the German football association after their goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was hit by a lighter in their Bundesliga draw at Union Berlin on Saturday, with the teams later returning to the pitch to finish the match but running down the clock without trying to score.