NFT-driven Sorare extends Eredivisie deal for three years
January 4 – The Netherlands’ Eredivisie has extended its partnership with fantasy game operator Sorare until 2025.
Berhalter forced to face his past as US Soccer plots future path
January 4 – USA men’s coach Gregg Berhalter, whose contract ended at the end of year, was threatened by a blackmailer at the Qatar 2022 over an incident in 1991, when he was 18 years old.
Japanese legend Honda steps down from Cambodia’s senior team but continues with U22s
January 4 – Former Japan international Keisuke Honda will no longer serve as general manager of Cambodia’s national team after the Southeast Asian Games in May, the country’s football federation has announced.
Thousands mourn Pelé at Vila Belmiro before he begins his final journey
By Samindra Kunti in Santos, Brazil
January 3 – From former legends to a supreme court justice, Brazilians mourned the passing of Pele on Monday at the Vila Belmiro, the stadium where he exploded into life and became the greatest player of all time. Today, Pele’s final journey will include a cortege through the city before a private burial.
Man Utd adds Doo Group as online trading partner
January 3 – Manchester United have agreed a multi-year global partnership with Singapore-headquartered online financial trading platform, Doo Group.
The Three versus The Six: how politics brought Charlton and Beckenbauer back to Wembley 50 years ago
By David Owen
January 3 – Today marks the 50th anniversary of a very odd football match at Wembley Stadium.
LaLiga counters Vinícius accusation that it is soft on racism and files charges at court
January 3 – Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr has accused LaLiga of continuing to do nothing about racist abuse from fans after he was targeted by Real Valladolid fans last Friday.
Russians opt to rebuild European bridges rather than apply for AFC membership
January 3 – Russian football bosses have decided not to quit UEFA, shelving a plan to try instead to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to enable its clubs and national teams to resume playing.
Tunisia keep faith in Kadri for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
January 3 – Tunisia have extended the contract of coach Jalel Kadri (pictured) for a year despite the Carthage Eagles’ group-stage exit from the World Cup in Qatar.
Israeli shooting of Palestinian player is a brutal return to reality after Qatar 2022 FIFA-fest
By Paul Nicholson
January 2 – The shooting of footballer Ahmed Atef Draghameh before Christmas has prompted the Palestinian FA (PFA) to call for football’s governing bodies to look at Israel’s “racist policies” and “constant violations” of international sport conventions.
Ronaldo lands in Riyadh for official presentation to Al Nassr fans tomorrow
January 2 – Cristiano Ronaldo will be officially unveiled to Al Nassr fans at their home stadium, Msrool Park, in Riyadh tomorrow (Jan 3).
Qatar hunt for new coach after parting company with Felix Sanchez
January 2 – Following a deeply disappointing World Cup campaign, Qatar and their long-standing coach Felix Sanchez have parted ways.
Football betting: three reasons why tipsters are worth it
January 2 – The volume of people who bet on football on a daily basis should not come as a surprise. It is a number that is still growing though not all punters are using the tools available or the market intelligence. Nostrabet provides free football predictions across all the leading competitions giving information that will help punters place the bet they want.
World mourns loss of Pele, the greatest ever, aged 82
By Andrew Warshaw
December 30 – Brazil has declared three days of national mourning as tributes poured in from across the globe to mark the death of Pele, arguably the greatest player ever, at the age of 82.
More than a footballer. How Pelé’s star power ignited a new world for soccer
By Samindra Kunti
December 28 – For Angelo Anastasio, an immigrant from Polistena in Southern Italy, June 10, 1975 turned out to be an unpleasant day. On that day, the defender was cut from the New York Cosmos roster. And while no football-minded soul genuinely expressed any interest in Anastasio’s fate, that move signified a seismic shift in the American football landscape. The end of the Stone Age had arrived.