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.
Former FAI boss Delaney under scrutiny over his UEFA role and pay days
By Andrew Warshaw
December 13 – John Delaney, the flamboyant Irishman who strode European football’s corridors of power until being forced to resign as chief executive of his federation (FAI) in March, is still a member of UEFA’s inner circle despite the FAI being in financial meltdown.
US complete a year at the top as World Rankings reflect an upwardly mobile women’s game
December 13 – FIFA has released its final Women’s National Team world rankings for 2019 which show the USA ending the year as they began it at the top, following their impressive all-conquering unbeaten run to the France 2019 World Cup title.
Time for VAR to chill-out. Ceferin meets Brits to lobby for protocol changes
December 13 – The use of video assistant referees for marginal offside decisions, which has caused so much consternation throughout Europe, could be amended next season if a joint bid by UEFA and the British football associations succeeds.
First Vienna FC 1894 celebrate their 125th with a visit from an elderly relative from Sheffield
December 13 – Age is just a number but for a football club it can also mark a status that no-one else can achieve.
Digital primer: Seven League’s 7 trends and impact points for 2020
December 13 – Digital sport consultancy Seven League has released its 2020 Digital Trends for Sport report, and for anyone on the business side of sport grappling with their own digital strategy it is a focussing read.
Premier League turns to Masters to take full time CEO role
December 13 – The Premier League’s 18-month search for a new chief executive is finally over with Richard Masters, the man who has filled the role on an interim basis, given the job full-time.
More woe for Tanzania’s Malinzi as he is found guilty of forgery
December 13 – Disgraced former president of the Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) and one-time FIFA standing committee member, Jamal Malinzi (pictured), has been found guilty of document forgery in his homeland .
Relegation escapees Botafogo plan for a more commercial future
December 13 – Financially challenged Brazilian top tier club Botafogo, is to transition from an association to a corporate structure to professionalise operations. Debt at the Rio club has risen to more than €200 million.