NBC Sports closure raises questions over $1.3bn Premier League deal
January 27 – Premier League broadcast rights partner NBC, is shutting its Sports Network in the US and is expected to close operations by the end of 2021.
FIFA steps in to clear Motsepe and Yahya to run for CAF presidency
January 27 – World federation FIFA has cleared all four candidates, including South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe (pictured) and Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya both whose eligibility had been in doubt, to run in the presidential elections of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
FIFA’s Mosengo-Omba tells Africa they have common aims, but CAF must clean up its act
January 27 – The next president of the African Football Confederation must be “absolutely honest”, according to FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Veron Mosengo-Omba.
Thrown to the Wolves. Tuchel takes charge of post-Lampard Chelsea tonight
January 27 – As predicted, Thomas Tuchel has become the 11th full-time Chelsea manager in the ruthless 18-year Roman Abramovich era following Frank Lampard’s sacking, and takes charge of the club for the first time tonight at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Man City build on partner link forged by Mumbai City FC
January 27 – Premier League Manchester City have gone ownership local with a new partnership with life insurer Zurich International Life, who will become the Club’s Official Insurance Partner in the United Arab Emirates, the country of the club’s owner.
CAS confuses with a lose lose decision for everyone, or was it a win win? Who knows?
By Paul Nicholson
January 26 – A Court of Arbitration for Sport double ruling against the Asian Football Federation (AFC) in regard to one of its elections has renewed questions about CAS’s decision making and left observers scratching their head over the logic of the decisions and the process.
Barca’s $billion debt bubble looks ready to burst
January 26 – The full extent of the financial crisis at Barcelona, one of the biggest brands in world football, have been laid bare by staggering claims that the club is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Premier League registers further drop in number of covid positive tests
January 26 – The English Premier League has confirmed eight positive coronavirus cases were recorded in the latest batch of testing – half the number recorded last week.
Senegal’s Senghor puts himself at front of race for CAF presidency
January 26 – Senegal’s Augustin Senghor has taken the bold step of declaring himself as favourite to win the increasingly bitter election race to become the new Confederation of African (CAF) president in succession to the disgraced Ahmad Ahmad.
SIGA Youth Forum releases full agenda and speakers for Jan. 27 opening
January 26 – The first SIGA Youth Forum kicks off tomorrow (January 27) with more than 35 speakers from the sports world contributing to 12 webinar sessions.
Defensa y Justicia win all-Argentinean battle for Copa Sudamericana
January 26 – Hernan Crespo and Defensa y Justicia clinched their first ever international title with a 3-0 victory against Lanus in the Copa Sudamericana final.
MLS sets new season dates but still has to agree wage deal with players
January 26 – The 26th season of the Major League Soccer (MLS) will kick off on April 3 and conclude in November, though player wage negotiations still hang as a cloud over the competition.
Swiss prosecutor considers appealing Al-Khelaifi and Valcke judgements
January 26 – Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi (pictured) and former FIFA number two Jérôme Valcke will find out imminently whether Swiss prosecutors are to appeal against them both being acquitted of criminal misconduct, according to French media.
San Francisco 49ers touch down in Leeds with bigger stake and even bigger plans
By Paul Nicholson
January 25 – NFL team San Francisco 49ers have bumped up their stake in Premier League Leeds United from 15% to 37% in a deal that reportedly values the club at £250-280 million.
Barca, Real and Bayern top money league as covid kicks off club revenue decline
By David Owen
January 26 – Revenues at Europe’s Top 20 clubs were down 12% in 2019-20 as covid began to disrupt the industry, according to the latest Football Money League produced by Deloitte, the professional services firm.