New Balance build Japanese presence with FC Tokyo deal
December 3 – Sportswear and boot brand New Balance has expanded its partnerships in Japan with the addition of J-League club FC Tokyo in a multi-year sponsorship.
Fulham land ClearScore sleeve deal to end of season
December 3 – Premier League returnees Fulham have agreed a one season deal credit scoring specialist ClearScore as an Official Principal Partner and Sleeve Sponsor.
New Brexit rules cut young player imports in favour of homegrown talent
By Andrew Warshaw
December 2 – Radical post-Brexit plans over the freedom – or lack of it – of players have been announced by English football authorities with overseas imports having to qualify in future through a points-based system when the transition period ends on December 31.
Qatar readies fourth 2022 venue with Al Rayyan opening set for Dec.18
December 2 – Qatar will inaugurate a fourth World Cup stadium when the Al Rayyan venue hosts the Amir Cup Final on December 18, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has announced.
Champions League revamp talks push towards more big club clashes
December 2 – The discussion over the planned revamp of UEFA’s Champions League will continue this week, with a number of restructuring options on the table.
Israel and UAE close to signing football pact
December 2 – The football associations of Israel and the United Arab Emirates will finalise a partnership in December with FIFA president Gianni Infantino attending the signing ceremony, the Israel Football Association (IFA) has announced.
US women agree equal conditions deal, but may still appeal lost court ruling on pay
December 2 – The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) have finally reached agreement – but not over the thorny issue of equal pay which has plagued both parties and was dismissed last May.
LaLiga targets subs revenue with Mondia deal for non-live content platform roll-out
December 2 – LaLiga has partnered with mobile technology company Mondia group to launch a subscription-based mobile focussed platform offering exclusive content and experiences. Called LaLiga Xtra, the content service will launch “in the coming months”.
Newcastle’s covid crisis forces first Premier League postponement
December 2 – Just as a limited number of fans are being allowed back into top-flight English games this coming weekend, so the unpredictability of Covid-19 has starkly hit home with Newcastle United’s game at Aston Villa on Friday becoming the first Premier League fixture this season to be postponed because of the disease.
England’s clubs dip toe in water of limited fan return
December 2 – After 266 long days, a tiny number of fans return to English league football tonight with clubs in certain areas of the country finally opening their turnstiles.
Haaland could break Neymar’s €222m record, Man Utd’s Fernandes puts on €20m of value
December 2 – Norwegian Erling Haaland’s goals for Borussia Dortmund have propelled him to the top of a table of €80 million+ footballers with the fastest increasing transfer valuations. He is followed by Manchester United’s mercurial Bruno Fernandes.
PepsiCo signs on for new 3-year Champions League term
December 1 – UEFA have resigned PepsiCo for a further three-year Champions League term for the 2021–24 cycle.
Bayern and Lyon players dominate nominees for UEFA team of year votes
December 1 – UEFA.com has opened voting for its teams of the year, for the first time giving fans the opportunity to pick a women’s team.
Newcastle United isolate as Covid positives force training ground closure
December 1 – Newcastle United’s entire first-team squad have been forced to self-isolate as the Premier League club closed its training ground amid a growing Covid-19 outbreak.
Laporta puts restoring ‘pride’ and keeping Messi at heart of his Barca presidential bid
December 1 – Joan Laporta, who led Barcelona between 2003 and 2010, and has announced that he will run for a second term as club president in succession to the much-maligned Josep Maria Bartomeu, says he is hopeful of convincing Lionel Messi to stay at the Nou Camp.