Coronavirus: Germany cuts Bundesliga stadium attendances to 15,000 max
December 3 – Bundesliga matches will once again be played out in front of capacity-reduced crowds following the reintroduction of Covid-19 restrictions in Germany.
Italian police probe Ronaldo’s Juve transfer deal as striker breaks 800 goals mark
December 3 – Italian prosecutors have ordered a new search of Juventus offices as part of an ongoing probe into the Serie A club as they also examine the financial terms of the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United.
Atletico Mineiro beat Bahia to secure Brazilian title after 50 year wait
December 3 – Atletico Mineiro clinched the Brazilian crown for the first time in 50 years after coming from behind to beat Bahia 3-2 and consolidate an unassailable lead at the top of the table.
Li Tie quits as China’s challenge for Qatar 2022 qualification falls apart
December 3 – China have replaced former Everton midfielder Li Tie as their national men’s coach after weeks of intense media pressure, with their hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup all but over.
Pass masters: Celtic on top of the world
December 3 – Celtic top a world ranking of most passes made and the distance the ball covers while in their possession.
FIFA looks to change the performance narrative with new Football Language tool
December 3 – FIFA is testing its new game analytics tool at the Arab Cup with a view to making the performance data available to all national teams free of charge. The plan is to offer the insights to all teams free of charge during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Man Utd’s greatest ever? Carrick quits with unbeaten management record
December 3 – Michael Carrick has left Manchester United following a brief stint as caretaker manager since the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on November 21.
AS Monaco strikes deal for UFL launch as club’s gaming supplier
December 3 – AS Monaco has agreed a two-year partnership with software game developer Strikerz Inc, to make its soon-to-launch online football game UFL, the club’s Official Football Gaming Supplier.
FIFA names venues and schedule for Australia/New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup
December 2 – FIFA has released the match schedule for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with Auckland staging the opening game and Sydney hosting the final.
beIN Sports warns FIFA that biennial World Cup is not a guaranteed cash machine
December 2 – In a new blow to FIFA’s biennial World Cup proposal, broadcaster beIN Sports has opposed the plans, warning that you can have ‘too much of a good thing’.
From feast to famine. Leeds boss Kinnear warns of dangers of regulators and transfer tax
December 2 – Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear (pictured) has compared calls for a transfer levy and an independent regulator in English football to Maoism and the Great Chinese Famine, arguing it would not make the game any fairer.
ECA board meets with biennial World Cup and ESL ‘hangover’ issues high on agenda
December 2 – The board of the European Club Association (ECA) is meeting today with FIFA’s plans for a biennial World Cup and the ongoing attempts by the three rebels clubs to create a breakaway European Super League.
Eredivisie partners with DreamHack for new launch esports gaming festival
December 2 – Holland’s Eredivisie is partnering with esports operator DreamHack Sports Games (DHSG) to create an esports gaming festival that will be hosted Sports in Maastricht.
Everton sign i8,Bet as regional partner but still can’t beat the Liverpool blues
December 2 – Premier League Everton have signed Asian-focussed online bookmaker i8.BET as a regional partner.
Brazil’s Cruzeiro drop member ownership in search of new investors
December 2 – Cruzeiro have become the first big club in Brazil to shift away from non-profit status to a company model, allowing the club to sell shareholdings to new investors.