Online bookies agree ‘whistle-to-whistle’ TV ad ban in UK
December 6 – British gambling companies have struck a ground-breaking deal which will see the end of their tv adverts during live matches.
Kenyon in pole position for £300m acquisition of Newcastle United
December 6 – The seemingly annual Christmas talk of the sale of Premier League Newcastle United is now in full swing with former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon leading discussions in the US to create a consortium of buyers who will put up the £300 million needed to buy the club from Mike Ashley.
AFC and UNODC tool up for battle against match-fixing
December 6 – With the roots of global football match-fixing embedded in parts of Asia, The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Ceferin stands Europe’s stakeholders solidly against FIFA $25bn sell off plan
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has stuck another barb into FIFA’s $25 billion proposal to change the landscape of world football with its plans for an expanded Club World Cup and a revamped Nations League, saying the whole of European football is against the idea.
Infantino rejects LaLiga’s overseas match, says Argentine Copa fiasco won’t affect 2030 bid
By Samindra Kunti
December 5 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has criticised La Liga’s intention to stage a league match in the United States, but called the proposed Copa Libertadores final in Madrid an ‘exceptional’ one-off.
Afghan government opens investigation into sexual abuse allegations against its FA
December 5 – The Afghan government has now followed the lead of the AFC and FIFA and opened an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against the national women’s football. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called the allegations of abuse by male coaches and officials ‘shocking’.
Maradona turns air blue blasting away at Conmebol’s Dominguez over Madrid final
December 5 – Diego Maradona has waded into the row over switching the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate to Madridwith some choice words against Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez.
FifaGate: Court docs show Salguero was offered bribe (unpaid) for World Cup vote
December 5 – Former Guatemala football chief and one-time FIFA executive committee member Rafael Salguero (pictured left) will be sentenced by a judge in New York this week in the latest move in the FifaGate scandal.
Santa’s sack race is on with Mourinho bookies’ favourite to follow Hughes on a long winter break
December 5 – The average lifespan of a Premier League manager is less than 1.5 years. Mark Hughes, who was sacked by Southampton after their draw with Manchester United at the weekend, lasted just 8 months and is Saints’ 23rdmanager in the past 20 years.
FIFA support of Johansen forces CAF to kick Sierra Leone out of AFCON qualifiers
December 5 – The still unresolved power battle within Sierra Leone football administration has had a significant damaging on effect on the field with the country thrown out of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign because of government interference in the running of the federation.
Man City, Real Madrid and Spurs top FIFA 2018 World Cup club payouts
By Paul Nicholson
December 5 – FIFA has released details of more than $209 million in payouts to clubs worldwide for use of their players at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Ceferin anti cross-confed bids for 2030; slams Aubameyang banana incident as ‘a disaster’
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – The race to host the 2030 World Cup, still in its early stage, has taken a potentially important twist with UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin saying he would be against a cross-continental bid between, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Otro launches world’s biggest player driven digital fan club and content platform
December 4 -A new digital platform has launched curating content from some of the world’s biggest players that focusses on their lives off the pitch.
River Plate coach Gallardo adds voice to discontent over Copa Libertadores switch to Madrid
December 4 – As the search for a solution to the contentious Copa Libertadores second leg rumbles on, River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo (pictured) has accused Conmebol of “robbing the fans” with its decision to move the twice postponed fixture to Madrid.