Rate of positive football anti-doping samples holds steady in 2019 at just over 3 per 1000
By David Owen
December 22 – Football remains anything but a doping blackspot, assuming official statistics offer a reliable guide.
Real Madrid’s Perez says a breakaway European Super League is evolution
December 22 – Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (pictured) has once again provocatively called for the formation of a European Super League.
FIFA’s setting of Ivory Coast election rules could scupper Anouma’s CAF bid
December 22 – Reports in the Ivory Coast suggest FIFA is preparing to make public its ruling on the electoral process for the presidency of the country’s football federation (FIF), a move that could have serious consequences for Jacques Anouma’s bid for control of African football.
Mönchengladbach’s Thuram banned for spitting in opponent’s face
December 22 – Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram has been banned for five games for spitting in the face of a Hoffenheim opponent in the Bundesliga.
Upbeat Messi blames his early season form on Barca uncertainty
December 22 – Lionel Messi says his failed attempt to leave Barcelona in the summer has affected his form this season.
EFL pushes League Cup final back to April in hope more fans can attend
December 22 – The EFL has pushed its League Cup final back from February to April in the hope that more fans will be able to attend its Wembley showpiece event in London.
Covid second wave bites deep but Premier League vigilence keeps show on the road
December 22 – The English Premier League has confirmed seven new positive coronavirus tests in its latest round of testing conducted between December 14-20 on 1,569 Premier League players and staff.
Aussie change A-League schedule to keep Sydney teams at home
December 22 – Australian football has been forced to reshuffle the opening rounds of matches of the new A-League following a Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney, with almost half of the first 35 games to be rescheduled for a later date.
Ulsan Hyundai come from behind to beat Persepolis to Asian Champions League title
December 21 – South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai defeated Iran’s Persepolis 2-1, coming from behind, to win the Asian Champions League for a second time, wrapping up an edition that was derailed by the coronavirus pandemic before Qatar stepped in to stage matches from the east and west zone as well as the competition’s knockout phase.
Failed Mediapro partnership strikes financial fear into hearts of French club football
December 21 – French football is still counting the cost of the loss of the Mediapro broadcast deal that has plunged a raft of clubs, already hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, into further financial disarray.
49ers ready to touch down in Leeds with another 15%
December 21 – Premier League Leeds United are selling a further 15% stake to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers in a deal that will reportedly value the club at £240 million, and take their stake to 25%.
LAFC seek to break Mexican grip on Concacaf Champions League against Tigres UANL
December 21 – Tigres UANL and Los Angeles FC will close off Concacaf’s disrupted 2020 competition season with the final of 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on Tuesday (December 22).
Why the impressive Marcus Rashford is almost making Man Utd lovable
December 21 – England international forward Marcus Rashford, who famously forced the British government into a u-turn with his calls for free school meals to children from low-income families, has collected a special individual honour as a result of his work to raise awareness.
Stiles had brain damage from repeated heading of the ball, say medics
December 21 – With the debate over both concussion and dementia intensifying, the family of former England 1966 World Cup-winning midfielder Nobby Stiles say they have been told his brain was severely damaged by repeated heading of the ball.
Qatar inaugurates Al Rayyan Stadium with 20,000 fans and win for Al Sadd
December 21 – Xavi’s Al Sadd won the Amir Cup for a record 17th time defeating Al Arabia 2-1 to inaugurate the Al Rayyan Stadium, the fourth 2022 World Cup venue to be completed.