Gerrard exits Saudi Pro League after poor run of results at Al Ettifaq
January 31 – After a dismal run of results, former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has left his role as manager of Saudi club Al Ettifaq by mutual consent.
Roobet agrees South American focussed betting sponsorship with Chelsea
January 31 – Premier League Chelsea have signed a multi-year deal with crypto sportsbook Roobet, naming it the club’s official regional betting partner for Latin America and Canada.
Study finds 14 of 16 stadia for 2026 World Cup likely to hit dangerous heat levels
January 31 – Player welfare is perhaps the biggest issue facing the elite of world football. With the 2026 World Cup scheduled during the height of the American summer, researchers are looking at the potential dangers players might face with extreme heat.
WeatherTech Canada warms to Canadian Premier League deal
January 31 – The Canadian Premier League has signed a multi-year deal with WeatherTech Canada, which will see the company become its Official Automotive Accessories Partner.
NWSL rubberstamps Denver as league’s 16th franchise
January 31 – The NWSL in the US has officially named Denver, Colorado, as the league’s 16th franchise. Denver will begin play in the 2026 season.
Apple’s $2.5bn MLS streaming deal starts to show cracks
January 31 – The MLS’s groundbreaking 10-year, $2.5 billion deal with Apple is starting to show cracks after just two seasons, with not even Lionel Messi driving the subscriber growth that was predicted for the streaming service both within the US and internationally.
We are in Kansas Dorothy. 2026 host cities follow FIFA’s yellow brick road with 500 days to go
January 31 – Excitement is building in the respective host cities for the 2026 World Cup, and with the 500-day countdown officially beginning, each local organising committee is keen to highlight their progress. In Kansas City, KC2026 is sharing ways for the region to get involved.
Condor signs exclusive travel partnership with Bulgarian FA
January 31 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has signed a partnership agreement with Condor, Bulgaria’s leading travel agency.
Serie A to partner with 7-a-side Kings League in pursuit of younger demographic
January 31 – Hot on the heels of the rapidly growing six-a-side Baller League, comes the announcement that the Kings League, the innovative 7-a-side football competition founded by Gerard Piqué, will form a partnership with the Serie A, Italy’s top football league.
Question marks over DAZN’s financial sustainability amid losses
January 30 – DAZN posted operating losses of $830 million for 2023, raising further question marks over the financial sustainability of the sports streaming giant.
Norwegian FA defies clubs and fans on VAR in call to develop it
January 30 – The Norwegian FA (NFF) has launched a defence of VAR in a bid to retain it, after NFF president Lise Klaveness (pictured) and her board met on Wednesday to consider the future of the technology following opposition from fans, who threw fish cakes on to a pitch last year in protest, and clubs, who have voted to get rid of it.
CIES predicts strong finishes to season for Premier League pair, Girona and Dortmund
January 30 – The CIES Football Observatory has released its latest statistical forecast, offering a data-driven prediction of how teams across 42 leagues worldwide are expected to perform for the remainder of the season.
Europa League set to reach exciting conclusion with 18-game slate
Off the back of a thrilling UEFA Champions League night on Wednesday, it is now the turn of the inaugural Europa League group phase to reach its climax on Thursday evening, with all 18 matches kicking off simultaneously at 20:00 GMT.
Abramovich allegedly dodged tax payments through superyacht scheme
January 30 – Former Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich allegedly dodged paying millions in taxes to British authorities through an elaborate fictitious superyacht hiring scheme.
Man City ‘rewarded’ for UEFA Champions League qualification with juggernaut play-off
January 30 – Manchester City’s ‘reward’ for narrowly avoiding an embarrassing UEFA Champions League exit on Wednesday night is a play-off against a European juggernaut. A 3-1 comeback victory over Club Brugge clinched 22nd place in the league phase and a match against either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, who finished 12th and 11th respectively, just to reach the Round of 16. Celtic, who came 21st, will take on the other giant.