French sanction 76 players and coaches for betting on football
December 20 – French football authorities have sanctioned 76 players, coaches and managers for failing to respect the ban on sports betting during the 2020-2021 season.
eBay trades up to Inter Milan’s shirt sleeve
December 20 – Online e-commerce site eBay is upgrading its relationship with Serie A’s Inter Milan to become the club’s shirt sleeve sponsor from the January 4 with the home game against Napoli.
Homeless World Cup to return in 2023 making US debut in Sacramento
December 20 – The FIFA World Cup will be in the US in 2026, but the Homeless World Cup will get there before it, with Sacramento in California hosting the event in July 2023.
World Leagues Forum slams FIFA for lack of transparency over new calendar plans
December 19 – The World Leagues Forum (WLF), has joined the world players’ union Fifpro in condemning FIFA for its “unilateral decisions” on international calendar which it says are “damaging for the football industry”.
FIFA rejected proposal of Ukrainian world peace message before World Cup final
December 19 – World Cup organisers reportedly rejected a personal request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to deliver an address ahead of Sunday’s final.
Salman hails Qatar 2022 organisation as showcasing Asia’s ability
December 19 – With the Qatar 2022 World Cup now complete, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa praised the hosting capabilities of Qatar in delivering the first World Cup in the Arab world and the second in Asia.
Southgate commits to England through Euro 2024 Championships
December 19 – Gareth Southgate will remain as England manager despite the disappointment of their quarter-final exit at the World Cup, the English Football Association confirmed on Sunday.
Fifpro says FIFA has reneged on calendar talks, and that 32-team club comp will break players
December 19 – The world players’ union Fifpro has slammed FIFA’s plan to launch a 32-team Club World Cup in 2025, saying it could have “serious consequences” for the players.
Defeated Deschamps says his French future will be decided in New Year
December 19 – Following a heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to Argentina, French coach Didier Deschamps left his future as manager of the national team in the balance.
Melbourne derby abandoned after fan protests turn into violent pitch invasion
December 19 – Football Australia said it will “weed out” those responsible for an unprecedented pitch invasion that plunged the sport into disgrace just weeks after the admirable World Cup performances by the national team.
Man Utd hunt for shirt sponsor to replace TeamViewer
December 18 – Manchester United are re-selling their front of shirt sponsorship that is currently held by German technology company TeamViewer.
Argentina stop France in World Cup final classic. Messi attains immortality
By Samindra Kunti in Lusail
December 18 – In one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time, Argentina and Lionel Messi attained immortality defeating France and hat-trick star Kylian Mbappe from the penalty spot after a 3-3 draw.
Serie A renews Kinto with a focus on sustainability
December 18 – Kinto, the Toyota group brand focussed on mobility services, has renewed its sponsorship with Serie A for the 2022/23 season, its third year with the Italian top tier.
Argentina vs France; Messi vs Mbappe. A crowning and a de-throning, but which way round?
December 16 – After 62 matches, it’s down to the last two: on Sunday France and Kylian Mbappe and Argentina and Lionel Messi will face off to crown the world champion and bring the 22nd edition of the World Cup, the first one in the Middle East, to a close.
Infantino’s world: best WC ever, FIFA reformed, MAs cashed up and he is only getting started
By Andrew Warshaw
December 16 – He did not feel gay, he did not feel like a migrant worker, he did not feel disabled.