December 12 – FIFA will debut a new Adidas ball for the final four matches of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with the ball in action for the first time tonight in the Argentina vs Croatia semi-final.
December 13 – Anthony Di Pietro (pictured) has resigned as a director of the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) amid the continuing fallout over the contentious decision to sell hosting rights for the title-deciding ‘Grand Finals’ to Sydney until 2025.
December 12 – The South American confederation, Conmebol, is stepping up its campaign to host the 2030 World Cup despite a likely counter-bid from Europe.
December 12 – Channelling their inner ‘Rocky’ in eliminating Portugal 1-0 from the World Cup and becoming the first African country to reach the last four of the global finals, coach Walid Regragui believes that his side can win the ultimate prize.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 12 – Referees are invariably lambasted at various stages during major competitions. It goes with the territory.
December 12 – As England lick their wounds after falling just short for the third tournament in a row, manager Gareth Southgate is pondering whether to stay on in the role.
December 12 – The increasingly fast-moving Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF) has signed another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with another international federations, this time with the Ghana FA.
December 12 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), has announced the launch of a Sports Transparencey Index which will rank and compare base transparency levels between clubs, leagues, national associations and governing bodies.
December 12 – The crypto winter has taken another casualty with Chelsea sleeve sponsor Amber Group, who display their Whalefin logo, reportedly ending their £20 million-a-year deal just seven months after it started.
December 12 – While the Qatar 2022 men’s World Cup is at semi-final stage, the 2023 World Cup has reached base camp – 29 of them.
December 12 –Brazil-focussed online bookmaker Pixbet has added another top flight club, agreeing a three-year sponsorship with Sao Paulo giants Corinthians.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 11 – Brazil coach Tite has stepped down following his team’s heartbreaking quarter-final elimination on penalties by Croatia, but he refused to accept criticism that the Seleçao conceded a crucial late equaliser in extra-time because of disorganisation.
December 11 – American journalist, Grant Wahl, 48, passed away after collapsing during the World Cup quarter-final between Argentina – the Netherlands in the press box of Lusail Stadium.
December 9 – Dismissing the death of a migrant worker from the Philippines at Saudi Arabia’s training resort in Qatar, World Cup boss Nasser Al Khater has said: “Death is a natural part of life, whether at work, whether in your sleep.”
