French league crisis deepens as Canal+ hands rights back saying league is ‘devalued’
January 13 – In another major blow to French football, broadcaster Canal+ will return the Ligue 1 media rights to the LFP, demanding a new tender is issued.
Premier League warns players must keep to Covid rules; more matches will be called off
January 14 – Yet again, the Premier League has written to clubs to stress the importance of adhering to strict Covid-19 protocols. But are they taking any notice?
US to host 4-team SheBelieves Cup in Florida in February
January 13 – Orlando, Florida, has rapidly become the go-to destination for centralised tournaments in north America. Having hosted MLS and Concacaf competition during the pandemic, the next visitor will U.S. Soccer in February for the SheBelieves Cup women’s national team competition.
Legendary Australia coach Frank Arok dies, aged 88
January 13 – Australia is mourning the loss of former national coach Frank Arok, who has died in Serbia at the age of 88.
MLS takes over sale of Real Salt Lake franchise with $350m+ price tag
January 13 – The sale of MLS side Real Salt Lake has been taken over by the league itself after current owner after owner Dell Loy Hansen failed to complete a deal by a January 8 deadline.
Yahya vents his fury over eligibility delay as he seeks to join CAF election race
By Andrew Warshaw
January 12 – Tensions are mounting ahead of the race to succeed disgraced African Football Confederation (CAF) leader Ahmad Ahmad at the helm of his continent.
France’s LFP opens club talks with call to cut salaries by 30%
January 12 – French football has been in talks to reduce players’ salaries in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 in a bid to mitigate the financial fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and the loss of the Mediapro media rights contract.
Man City owner City Football Group adapts strategy with Club Bolivia ‘partnership’
By Paul Nicholson
January 12 – City Football Group, owner of 12 clubs including Premier League Manchester City, has expanded its network and deal-making strategy with the addition of Bolivia’s Club Bolivar as its first ‘Partner Club’.
UEFA beefs up anti-doping regulations and whistle-blower protection
January 12 – UEFA has issued new anti-doping regulations including greater flexibility in the sanctioning process for violations and new provisions to protect whistle-blowers, the European governing body announced on Tuesday.
Back to the future: Laporta leads race for Barcelona presidency
January 12 – With battle lines drawn, Joan Laporta (pictured) looks set to become Barcelona president for the second time though his main rival says he would be a throwback to the past rather than a voice for the future.
From FA Cup giant killing to battle of the giants. Man Utd and Liverpool drawn together
January 12 – Manchester United will take on arch-rivals Liverpool in a mouth-watering heavyweight showdown in the fourth round of the FA Cup later this month that will be keenly followed by their legions of fans across the globe.
Premier League stays positive as tests shows marginal dip in cases
January 12 – The Premier League has confirmed 36 positive coronavirus cases were recorded in the latest week of testing, a slight drop from the season-high of 40 positives which were revealed in the previous week’s results – the first in which players and staff at all 20 clubs were tested twice a week.
Ziggo rolls over Ajax shirt sponsorship deal
January 12 – Dutch cable operator Ziggo has added another year to its shirt sponsorship of Ajax with an option to extend until 2025.
KPMG reports on Covid’s money massacre at Europe’s financial elite
By Paul Nicholson
January 11 – The scale of Covid’s decimation of the football industry’s revenue infrastructure is highlighted again in KPMG Football Benchmark’s annual review of Europe’s champion clubs.
Covid clampdown: Premier League warns clubs and players to follow rules or face sanction
January 11 – Following a string of postponed games and scores of players being forced to self-isolate, the English Premier League has threatened disciplinary action against anyone who breaches strict Covid-19 protocols.