Martinez takes over at Portugal and dreams big…one step at a time
January 10 – It didn’t take Roberto Martinez long to find a new role. The Spaniard has become the third foreign coach to lead Portugal, succeeding Fernando Santos.
News
Premier League clubs tumble as giant killers have a field day in the FA Cup
January 9 – Holders Liverpool were held to a 2-2 home draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers on a weekend when no fewer than eight of the 20 Premier League sides were dumped out of the FA Cup, the world’s oldest domestic knockout competition, at the first time of asking.
AFC sets pathway for Paris 2024 women’s qualification
January 9 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has unveiled a three-round competition structure to qualify two women’s teams for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
France to stick with Deschamps through 2026 World Cup
January 9 – French coach Didier Deschamps is to stay until the 2026 World Cup after leading his country to the final of the last two editions of the tournament.
New football agent rules come into force as FIFA cuts commissions and demands licensing
January 9 – FIFA’s new agent regulations have come into force with a new legal framework governing agents’ activity and the licensing of agents central to the reforms.
TelevisiaUnivision brokers Liga MX sponsorship deal for US with T-Mobile
January 9 – T-Mobile US has become an official sponsor of Liga MX in the US in a deal brokered by Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision which will also see the telecoms operator broadcast live matches under its Metro by T-Mobile brand.
Le Graet under fire for disrespecting Zidane
January 9 – Not for the first time, French football has been hit by an internal war of words, this time over controversial comments made by French football federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet about national icon Zinedine Zidane (pictured).
Cameroon’s Modeste M’Bami dies of heart attack, aged 40
January 9 – Former Cameroon and Paris St Germain midfielder Modeste M’Bami has died aged just 40 after suffering a heart attack.
FIFA picks match officials and finalises training for 2023 Women’s World Cup
January 9 – FIFA’s Referees Committee has announced the 33 referees, 55 assistant referees and 19 video match officials for the Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
Brazil mourns passing of goal scoring legend Roberto Dinamite, aged 68
January 9 – Brazil is once again mourning the passing of a footballing great. Following the funeral of Pele, Vasco da Gama legend Roberto Dinamite died on Sunday, also following a battle with colon cancer, aged 68.
Čeferin unopposed for third term as UEFA president, election contests set for Euro reps at FIFA
January 6 – UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin looks set for a third term as UEFA president after the deadline passed yesterday for any challengers to come forward for the April 5 election at the UEFA congress in Lisbon, Portugal.
Football mourns the loss of Italian legend Gianluca Vialli, aged 58
January 6 – The football world has lost yet another iconic and hugely popular figure with tributes pouring in following the death at just 58 of former Italian great Gianluca Vialli.
Serie A hits Lazio with ‘curva nord’ closure after racist chanting at Lecce
January 6 – Lazio have been handed a partial one-match stadium restriction after fans directed racist chants at Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and winger Lameck Banda in an away Serie A game earlier this week that prompted widespread outrage.
Book review: a tale of Brazilian greatness and global legacy
January 6 – Brazil 1970 and Pele will forever remain the standard bearers of the beautiful game. In the book ‘Brazil 1970 – How the Greatest Team of All Time Won the World Cup’, author Sam Kunti chronicles the story of Brazil’s landmark victory.
Brazilian media hammers former stars for failing to honour Pelé
By Samindra Kunti in Sao Paulo
January 6 – Following a media storm, Ricardo Kaka has failed to explain why he did not attend Pelé’s funeral procession. Kaka, Ronaldo and other World Cup-winners as well as Neymar have been heavily criticized for failing to pay their last respect to Pele in Santos.