NWSL’s Utah Royals look set for a move to Kansas
December 7 – The National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Utah Royals FC franchise will relocate to Kansas City, once the sale of the team is finalised, according to US media reports.
Bruised knees: Millwall’s boos condemned by FA, clubs and anti-discrimination groups
December 7 – England’s Football Association have condemned fans of Championship side Millwall for booing as players from their team and opponents Derby County took a knee before their league fixture at the weekend – on the day supporters were allowed back in limited numbers for the first time since March.
Concacaf given go-ahead to run triple match weekends for Qatar 2022 qualifiers
December 7 – Concacaf has been given the go-ahead by FIFA to have triple match international windows for its final group of World Cup qualifiers that need 14 match days to complete.
Qatar clear their calendar for 2021 with emphatic win over Bangladesh
December 7 – Qatar defeated Bangladesh 5-0 in the only Asian World Cup qualifier of 2020 to end the year on a high. Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif and Almoez Ali (pictured) starred, both scoring a brace.
Premier League agrees £200m loan to Championship clubs, and £50m gift to League One and Two
December 4 – After months of negotiations, the Premier League and English Football League, which covers the three division immediately below the top flight, have agreed a £250 million rescue package to help ease the financial burden on lower-league clubs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Real Madrid stay €330k in profit but budgets for a €300m revenue drop
By Paul Nicholson
December 4 – Real Madrid have been the latest of Europe’s big clubs to outline the financial impact of the global pandemic on their finances – in Real’s case a €16 million hit on 2019/20 expected revenue and a drop in profit from €38 million last year to €330,000 this.
Italy to host Nations League finals next October, Tirana to stage new Conference final
December 4 – Italy have been chosen to host the climax of the Nations League in October next year and will face Spain while Belgium take on France in two mouth-watering ties
Barca to hold back player wages in Jan as covid crisis bites deep into club finances
December 4 – Barcelona’s financial crisis has taken a massive hit with Carlos Tusquets, the club’s interim president, announcing that player salaries in January will be postponed.
Coronavirus: Fans mask-up for return to Premier League’s southern stadia
December 4 – Fans returning to English Premier League games this weekend will have to wear face masks at all times and have been banned from over-excessive singing or chanting to avoid Covid-19 transmission.
Chinese Super League clubs forced to rename as CFA orders end to ‘corporate’ branding
December 4 – Chinese Super League clubs have been ordered to drop the corporate part of their names for the start of next season by the Chinese FA.
UEFA goes green with new EC pact
December 4 – UEFA has gone green and it isn’t just about the greenbacks its top clubs and players so voraciously gobble up. Their ‘greenness’ this time is for the greater good.
SIGA launches Youth Forum webinars of Jan 27-28 as #StandWithSIGA gathers pace
December 4 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has launched its first SIGA Youth Forum that will take take place on January 27-28 next month.
Van Bronckhorst leaves CSL giants Guangzhou R&F
December 4 – Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F have parted company after just one season with head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Man Utd’s Woodward says club would not be part of any European Super League
December 4 – Manchester United boss Ed Woodward (pictured) has said that his club wouldn’t participate in a European Super League. He argued that changes to the European football structure should be “complementary to thriving domestic leagues”.
Club ownership: Are multi-club investors the way forward for football post-covid
December 3 – City Football Group and soft drinks brand Red Bull have blazed a trail in the area of multi-club football ownership, and in the pandemic era of no fans and an uncertain broadcast and sponsorship market, opportunities to buy professional teams have never been greater.