OL Groupe confident €327m sale to Eagle Football will complete in coming days
December 8 – The sale of Ligue1 side Olympique Lyonnais to US investor John Textor’s Eagle Football group looks to have taken a step closer to fruition.
Irish women’s pro-IRA singing celebration lands them a €20k UEFA fine
December 8 – UEFA has fined the Football Association of Ireland €20,000 for its women’s teams post match celebration and the singing of a song with a pro-IRA chorus after they beat Scotland 1-0 and qualified for the women’s World Cup finals for the first time.
Estrelabet banks big on Brazilian futsal with all-team deal via CBF
December 8 – In the bookmaker race to pick up football sponsorship assets in Brazil’s fast evolving betting markets, EstrelaBet has completed a sponsorship for all of the country’s futsal teams until 2025 with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
Hungary’s Debreceni VSC takes first steps into web3 with Capital Block
December 8 – The developing web3 is not just a world for Europe’s biggest and best leagues and clubs. Hungary’sDebreceni VSC (DVSC), has become the first club from the country to announce its intentions in the area.
Portugal brush Swiss aside as Ramos stars after Ronaldo is dropped to bench
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – It was a massive gamble and fortunately for Portuguese coach Fernando Santos it paid off – and then some.
Canadian women’s legends unveil plans for an 8-team pro-league
December 7 – Canadian national team legends Christine Sinclair (pictured) and Diana Matheson have announced plans to create a women’s professional league in the country with kick-off in April 2025.
Morocco create Arab and African history with penalty shoot-out elimination of Spain
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 7 – It was with the cheekiest of Panenkas that Achraf Hakimi and Morocco upset Spain to create a 3-0 penalty win, and World Cup history, to progress to the last eight of the tournament.
DFL’s $3.6bn private equity raise hits club road block
December 7 – The German Football League (DFL) has reportedly stalled the sale of a $3.6 billion stake in Bundesliga media rights after a number of raised concerns over the capital raise.
Eto’o apologises for ‘violent altercation’ with fan after World Cup match
December 7 – Samuel Eto’o has apologised for a “violent altercation” when in a bizarre and distasteful incident he kicked a fan outside a World Cup stadium.
Indonesian Liga 1 returns behind closed doors after stadium disaster that killed 135
December 7 – Indonesian club football returned this week behind closed doors after 135 people died after a stampede following a match at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java province on October 1.
Polish PM scraps on World Cup bonus plan after public backlash
December 7 – Poland’s prime minister has backed down on a promise to award bonuses to the national team after the World Cup.
Betano secures naming rights to Copa do Brasil in 3-year deal
December 7 – FIFA’s first betting sponsor Betano has added the naming rights for the Copa do Brasil to its sponsorship portfolio.
Pele’s health is improving, say doctors, with no new complications
December 7 – Brazil great Pele’s condition is improving in hospital, according to his doctors.
FIFA cracks down on Uruguayans behaving badly and Serbia’s anti-Kosovan politics
December 6 – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against both Uruguay and Serbia for a range of misdemeanours during their respective final group games at the World Cup which saw both countries eliminated.
Ronaldo on verge of closing €200m a year deal with Saudi club Al-Nassr
December 6 – Leading Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr have reportedly made a huge offer to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after the World Cup.