Serie A signed up for brand Italy and beIT campaign
January 11 – Italy’s Serie A has partnered with government ministries to promote the country and the ‘Made in Italy’ message worldwide.
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
Brugge and Anderlecht bosses to jointly chair Pro League for crucial 6 months
January 11 – Club Brugge’s Vincent Mannaert and Anderlecht’s Wouter Vandenhaute will lead the Belgian Pro League for the next six months following the resignation of chairman Peter Croonen.
888sport targets newly regulated German market with RB Leipzig deal
January 11 – Online bookmaker 888sport has become an official partner of Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in a deal that will initially run until 2023.
Cameroon kick off AFCON with a win; covid controversy lurks; CAF raises prize money
By Samindra Kunti
January 10 – At last, the wait for the host nation is over. Cameroon kicked off the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament with more prize money than ever, with a dramatic 2-1 rearguard win over Burkina Faso in an enthralling opening game.
Ashley goes after Staveley over Newcastle sale as club humiliated in FA Cup
January 10 – Just weeks after hopes were raised of a new dawn when the club was purchased by a cash-rich Saudi-led consortium, albeit highly controversially, English sleeping giant Newcastle United are back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons – on and off the pitch.
Amnesty urge Spanish Super Cup clubs in Saudi to take stand on women’s equality
January 10 – Amnesty International is calling on the four clubs involved in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia this week to take a stand over women’s rights and equality issues.
Flamengo keep up commercial push with improved Adidas deal
January 10 – Brazilian giants Flamengo have renewed their sponsorship deal with sportswear giant Adidas until 2025 for a value of at least €10.7 million a year.
FIFA’s Best: Messi makes final three with Lewandowski and Salah
January 10 – In keeping with tradition, Lionel Messi is once again nominated in the final three of The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards. FIFA will probably keep nominating him when he retires.
Betway takes first French steps with Toulouse
January 10 – Online betting sponsorship is still holding its own in the sponsorship market with Betway announcing a two-year major partnership with French Ligue 2 side, Toulouse FC.
Guardiola vs Tuchel vs Mancini for FIFA coach of the year award
January 10 – Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and Italy manager Roberto Mancini are on the shortlist for FIFA’s best men’s coach of the year with the winner to be announced on January 17.
EML and REPX open in Serie A with prepaid card deal at Roma
January 10 – Pre-paid credit card specialists EML Payments has signed an exclusive sponsorship with AS Roma, its first step into the football sponsorship market.
Coventry United women saved by last minute buyer, but points deduction stands
January 10 – The fragility of the finances in the lower tier of the women’s professional game were demonstrated last week with the last-minute takeover of Coventry United Ladies, who play in the FA Women’s Championship.
English politicos go cold on ‘vanity’ 2030 World Cup bid but look to Euro 2028
By Andrew Warshaw
January 7 – A leading English parliamentarian has called on the UK and Republic of Ireland to abandon their interest in jointly staging the 2030 World Cup and instead focus on hosting the Euros two years earlier in 2028.
Vinicius is world’s most valuable player. Foden, Haaland and Greenwood make up top four
January 7 – Move over Neymar and Mbappe. Real Madrid and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior is the most valuable player in the world according to the latest player transfer valuations by the CIES Football Observatory.
Ajax abandon training camp as covid spread decimates winter breaks
January 7 – Ajax Amsterdam have abandoned their training camp in Portugal following an outbreak of coronavirus infections. They follow in the footstep of PSV, Feyenoord and a slate of Belgian clubs who decided to cancel their winter camps altogether.