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.
Juve keep Chinese deals flowing with Ganten renewal
December 16 – Juventus have extended their Official Water deal with Chinese mineral water firm Ganten for another three years, taking them through to 2023.
Forget global league talk, Champions League last 16 pitches Man City vs Real Madrid
December 16 – Manchester City will have to do it the hard way in their quest to break their Champions League duck and finally land the trophy.
Koreas pull out of WWC 2023 hosting race, leaving four bids to battle for rights
December 16 – Bids to stage the 2023 Women’s World Cup are conspicuous by the absence of any application from Korea, both south and north.
China’s state TV channel drops Arsenal game after Ozil condemns muslim crackdown
December 16 – In an unprecedented move that illustrated the country’s sensitivity over human rights issues, China’s state broadcaster pulled Sunday’s Arsenal-Manchester showpiece fixture from its broadcast schedule after Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil criticised Beijing’s brutal crackdown on ethnic Muslims.
An end to slave trading? Brussels court rejects Doyen appeal against FIFA’s TPO ban
December 16 – The Brussels Court of Appeal has dismissed Doyen and FC Seraing’s effort to overturn a ban on third-party ownership (TPO), ending the financing practice. FIFA welcomed the verdict.
CAF win Round 1 of contract dispute but Lagardère still punching for a knockout finish
By Paul Nicholson
December 16 – CAF has won the first round of the legal battle over the cancellation of its contract with Lagardère Sports. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Geneva ruled Friday rejected Lagardère’s application for emergency measures that would have allowed the agency to continue as per the contract.
Ferguson questions why teams would drop home leagues to join Perez’s global money league
December 16 – Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says English teams should seriously consider whether they would want to take part in rumoured global Super League.
Italian women’s Serie A fast tracked to professionalism with lifting of salary cap
December 16 – A new law in Italy, removing the current salary cap, will allow women players at Serie A Femminile clubs to be paid as full time professionals.
Konami adds RCD Mallorca to PES club partners with graphic boost
December 16 – Japanese eFootball gamemaker Konami has added LaLiga’s RCD Mallorca to partner clubs. Mallorca will feature in the 2020 edition of the game.