No vax no pay: Capello promotes hardline for ‘selfish’ anti-vax players
January 5 – Former England manager Fabio Capello says players who refuse to receive the coronavirus vaccine should have their salaries cut.
Covid and AFCON-depleted Liverpool ask EFL to postpone Carabao Cup vs Arsenal
January 5 – Liverpool have made a formal request to postpone Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal after being hit by yet more Covid-19 cases.
For Gambia, the biggest challenge of AFCON is arriving with a full and healthy squad
By Samindra Kunti
January 5 – Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet sighs at all the adversity. His Scorpions will participate for the first time in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, but in an interview with Insideworldfootball, he explains how the debutants’ preparations have been derailed by Covid-19 infections, cancelled friendlies, injuries and the late release of European-based players.
BT Sport pick up last minute rights to Saudi-hosted Spanish Super Cup
January 5 – BT Sport will exclusively broadcast the Spanish Super Cup, which Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao will compete for in Saudi Arabia this month.
Lamela, Schick and Taremi strikes shortlisted for Puskas goal of the year award
January 5 – Erik Lamela’s remarkable rabona for Tottenham Hotspur in last season’s north London derby against Arsenal, Patrik Schick’s long-distance screamer at the Euros and Mehdi Taremi’s overhead kick against Chelsea have been nominated for FIFA’s annual Puskas award for the best goal of 2021.
Eriksen says he is ready to return to playing, for club and country
January 5 – Danish international Christian Eriksen has said he wants to represent his country at the World Cup. The midfielder hasn’t played since his cardiac arrest against Finland in the European Championships last June.
Infantino says biennial World Cup idea works, and so could a biennial Euros
January 4 – Having spent months extolling the virtues of a biennial World Cup, met with fierce resistance by UEFA and sceptics everywhere, Gianni Infantino is now suggesting the Euros could go the same way.
India suspends I-League as covid-bubble bursts
January 4 – India’s second-tier I-League has been suspended for six weeks at least, after a new coronavirus outbreak among some teams.
Chelsea debut safe-standing trial in Premier League against Liverpool
January 4 – In a landmark move, Chelsea became the first Premier League side to host a safe-standing pilot scheme in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool, marking the end of a blanket ban on standing in the top two tiers of English football which has been in place for more than 25 years.
Garber looks forward to record MLS season as wunderkind Pepi heads for Bundesliga
January 4 – In a New Year message to MLS fans, commissioner Don Garber has emphasised how the league’s clubs have grown to become “essential members of our communities” and the passion US fans are showing for players and clubs.
Last minute sale keeps Salernitana in Serie A
January 4 – Salernitana, dubbed in Italy as the club that wished it had never got promoted to Serie A, have been saved from being kicked out after acquiring a new owner at the 11th hour.
Auckland City record ‘disappointing’ Club World Cup double
January 4 – Auckland City officials say they are “bitterly disappointed’’ at having to pull out of Club World Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates for a second successive year over Covid-19 quarantine issues.
A palace fit for Man City
January 4 – Manchester City has agreed a sponsorship with the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to become the Club’s Official Luxury Hotel Partner.
AFC gets fast start to season with qualifying draw for Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022
January 4 – The AFC will get straight into its new competition season this week with a 31-nation draw on Thursday (6 January) for the confederation’s Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022, a competition that has missed a cycle due to the pandemic.
Mallorca plan €20m stadium upgrade
January 4 – Mallorca are to upgrade their Son Moix stadium at a cost of €20 million, the La Liga club has announced.