Serie A apologise for inappropriate ‘monkey’ paintings
December 18 – Serie A has apologised in the wake of the furore over imagery of monkeys being used in artwork for their anti-racism campaign.
Klopp tries to keep the talk to football and off human rights issues
December 18 – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, in Qatar for the Club World Cup, says he’s not the right person to talk about human rights in the country and whether it fit to host global tournaments.
Liverpool miss chance of tilt at Wembley as they are thrashed 5-0 in Carabao Cup by Villa
By Paul Nicholson
December 17 – The Liverpool bubble was dramatically burst last night as Aston Villa spanked a young team 5-0 in the quarter finals of the EFL League Cup and in front of 30,000+ fans at Villa Park, 4,000 of them travelling Liverpool fans.
UEFA opens club competition tenders for video games and branded product categories
December 18 – UEFA has issued tenders covering its club competition licenses in the areas of video games and esports, as well as for the creation of a number of UEFA-branded products.
Hong Kong supporters jeer Chinese anthem at South Korean tournament
December 18 – Hong Kong fans jeered the Chinese national anthem as the political turmoil that has gripped the former British colony once again spilled over into football.
De Bruyne, Van Dijk, Rashford and Son head MVP club rankings, Messi leads in Spain
December 18 – A data analysis of MVPs in clubs in Europe’s Big 5 leagues for the season to date shows Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi as again being their clubs key players so far. But the lists also throw up some less well known names.
LaLiga takes on England’s Premier League with 24/7 English-language channel on Sky platform
December 17 – LaLiga is striking at the heart of English Premier League broadcast territory with the country’s first dedicated football channel on the SkyTV platform.
FIFA chase Blatter and Platini for CHF 2m ‘disloyal payment’
By Andrew Warshaw
December 17 – Why now? It’s a question many are pondering after FIFA on Monday confirmed reports last week that it is filing a civil lawsuit against veteran former president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA president Michel Platini to recover the CHF 2 million paid to Platini in 2011 on Blatter’s authority, which led to long bans for both of them.
Condemnation over Serie A’s ‘sick joke’ monkey paintings
December 17 – Less than three weeks after Serie A clubs in Italy pledged collectively to combat the “serious problem” of racism, further criticism has rained down from anti-discriminatory bodies following a totally ill-judged campaign featuring paintings of apes.
Charlotte looks set for 30th MLS spot with a $325m buy-in
December 17 – Major League Soccer is set to announce Charlotte as the league’s 30th franchise for a record fee of $325 million.
Lagardère Sports agrees sale to H.I.G. Capital but CAF cancellation cuts €210m+ off price
December 16 – The loss of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) contract has knocked between €210-€240 million off the sales price of the Lagardère Sports.
Siasia, banned for life for match-fixing, complains of abandonment as he battles for ‘justice’
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 17 – Samson Siasia, the former Nigeria striker and manager of the Super Eagles, has accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of failing to help him fight against the life ban imposed on him in August by FIFA, world football’s governing body, for match-fixing.
Celtic hit with another UEFA firework fine
December 17 – Glasgow giants Celtic have been hit with €16,000 fine by UEFA after fans set off fireworks in their Europa League clash with Lazio in Rome.
Arsenal and Everton head into Christmas clash with managers at top of wish list
December 17 – Arsenal and Everton are both hoping for new managers for Christmas with Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti respectively emerging as frontrunners.
eSports edges towards Olympic recognition but for simulation games only
December 16 – Olympic esports took a tentative step towards becoming a reality with the IOC suggesting that simulation games based on the actual sport (rather than ‘killer games’) could be included in the Olympic programme.