Rangers tap into Californian talent in Orange Country
December 30 – Scottish giants Rangers have announced a new partnership with American USL side Orange County SC involving player exchanges between the pair.
Man City, Roma and OL lead big name clubs into 2020 FIFA eClub World Cup finals
December 29 – Roma, Basel, Man City, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Olympique Lyonais lead the club branded qualifiers for the FIFA eClub World Cup 2020 finals to be be played February 7-9.
Brazil tops football’s drug sanctions table
By David Owen
December 30 – Brazilian footballers were more likely to be sanctioned for anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) than those of any other nationality, according to statistics relating to samples collected in 2017 made public this month by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
PFA demands government racism inquiry as Spurs fans target Chelsea’s Rudiger
December 23 – England’s Professional Footballers’ Association has called for a government inquiry into racism in football after a year of shame was marred by yet another disgraceful incident, with Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger allegedly targeted at his club’s 2-0 derby win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Italian Super Cup focusses on human rights and commercial self-interest issues. A game was played
By Samindra Kunti
December 23 – Lazio defeated Juventus 3-1 to win the Italian Super Cup, controversially staged in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, its second season in the country.
Costa Rica and Panama to co-host 2021 U20 women’s World Cup, Nigeria lose out
December 23 – Nigeria have lost their bid to become the first African country to host a global women’s tournament after FIFA chose Costa Rica and Panama as joint hosts for next year’s Under-20 World Cup.
Ahmad says AFCON 2021 in Cameroon could return to Jan dates due to ‘climatic conditions’
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 23 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Ahmad has told Insideworldfootball in Doha, Qatar, that a firm decision on the timing of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, to be staged in Cameroon, will be taken during CAF’s next executive committee meeting.
Just three in a thousand football anti-doping samples tested positive in 2018
By David Owen
December 22 – If there is a doping crisis in football, it is still not being picked up by the authorities.
England World Cup winner Martin Peters dies, aged 76
By David Owen
December 22 – Martin Peters, who scored England’s second goal in the 4-2 victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, has died at the age of 76.
Belgium ends year top of FIFA rankings, Qatar is 2019’s fastest climber
December 21 – Belgium will finish 2019 as the world’s top ranked team, ahead of France and Brazil – the same positions they held in December 2018 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola men’s World Rankings.
Nine bidders line up for expanded Club World Cup commercial rights
December 20 – FIFA has received nine bids for the commercial rights to the new expanded 24-team Club World Cup being held in China in 2021.
FIFA give former Ethics committee member Alvarado life ban for taking bribes
December 20 – FIFA has imposed a life ban on a former member of both its Ethics and Disciplinary Committees, who at one time helped judge the wrongdoing of others, for himself taking bribes.
Uganda beat Kenya to take 15th Cecafa Cup title
December 20 – Hosts Uganda have lifted the Cecafa Cup, East Africa’s flagship regional competition, after defeating Eritrea 3-0 in the final.
Qatar 2022 chief hopes tournament will change stereotypes of Qatar
December 20 – The head of Qatar’s World Cup organising committee hopes visiting fans will change their views about his country in the same way misconceptions about Russia were altered at the 2018 tournament.
Law: Avoiding the data compliance offside trap
Data has become a core function of a football club’s business. Managing and monetising that data efficiently, legally and privately is a focal point. By Bryony Long, Mark Hersey and Lauren Stone at law firm Lewis Silkin