Man City’s Mendy cleared of 6 rape charges, but faces retrial on two more
January 16 – Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty of seven of the nine rape and sexual assault charges against him at Chester Crown Court last Friday.
News
High-flying Morocco pull out of CHAN after failing to get Algerian landing slot
January 13 – Defending champions Morocco have withdrawn from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) after hosts Algeria refused the Moroccans a direct flight into the country.
Who’s bigger – Football, FIFA or Infantino? HBS ordered to put president in TV live feeds
January 13 – FIFA’s World Cup host broadcaster was ordered to film Gianni Infantino at least once during every game he attended in Qatar and to ensure that he was not pictured while on his mobile phone, according to a news report.
Chad kicked out of U17 AFCON qualifiers for age cheating
January 13 – Chad are the latest nation to fall foul of the age testing saga rocking African football after being disqualified from the regional Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to start on January 12.
English leagues battle with increase in ‘football disorder’
January 13 – The number of arrests at English football matches in the first half of the season is up by 10% on the last campaign, including 28 assaults.
Eleven Sports boss says a Super League would not generate the big TV cash promised
By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
January 13 – Eleven Sports Group CEO Marc Watson has said that the creation of a European Super League would not bring more commercial money from broadcasters into the football market.
Big money Félix crash lands at Fulham derby as red card deepens Chelsea crisis
January 13 – João Félix was sent off on his Chelsea debut as his new team lost 2-1 at Fulham in the Premier League on Thursday, heaping even more pressure on manager Graham Potter.
VAR to be used in UEFA Europa Conference League knockout rounds
January 13 – UEFA is expanding the use of video assistant referees (VAR) in the Conference League to all knockout matches, starting with this season’s play-offs.
FIFA launch voting for Best Awards with release of shortlisted names
January 13 –FIFA has unveiled the shortlist for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022, with Lionel Messi being the stand-out name amongst the men’s nominees.
Simply the Best. Messi’s journey to World Champion from 2006 to 2022
January 13 – After Argentina won the World Cup for the second time in 1986, Diego Maradona was the king of football in Argentina. He was seen as a god in his country, given how well he delivered for the team. His successor, Lionel Messi was not born until June 24.
LaLiga’s Tebas calls in EU to regulate sports model and end threat of Super League forever
By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
January 12 – La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for “less declaration, more regulation” from European institutions of the continent’s sports model to prevent the Super League proposition from its continual resurfacing as a threat to football.
Le Graët steps down at French federation while conduct probe opens
January 12 – Veteran French football boss Noël Le Graët, a member of FIFA’s all-powerful Council, has agreed to step down following an emergency executive committee meeting into his behaviour.
Pressured Potter seeks to save Chelsea’s troubled season with help of €11m+ Joao Felix loan
January 12 – Chelsea manager Graham Potter has described his current job as “probably the hardest in football” as he tries to salvage their season.
DAZN reveals $1.36bn loss but reports pick-up in subs and engagement as model evolves
January 12 – Sports-streaming giant DAZN has reported an operating loss of $1.36 billion in 2021, taking the company’s total losses over the past three reported financial years to $5 billion.
Aston Villa’s BK8 deal heats up the UK debate on bookmaker sponsorship
January 12 – The expected replacement of Aston Villa’s shirt sponsorship by online bookmaker BK8 has provoked an immediate backlash.