Human rights pressure keeps building on FIFA’s 2034 Saudi rubber-stamping
December 5 – With precision timing, Human Rights Watch has renewed its offensive against FIFA for awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.
News
Death toll from Guinea stadium stampede has risen to 135, says human rights group
December 5 – Human rights groups in Guinea say they believe the death toll from the stadium crush last Sunday that killed more than 135 spectators, most of them children, is far higher than the official 56 figure announced by the military-led government.
West Ham boss Karen Brady warns government that lack of clarity over ownership test is harming new investment
December 5 – Clubs from across the English football pyramid are “alarmed” by the lack of consultation on legislation which could “fundamentally affect the future” of the game, West Ham United vice-chairwoman Karren Brady has warned.
Saudi web of sponsorships has ‘reshaped the sports world’, says report
December 5 – Saudi Arabia’s network and influence in global sports and football keeps growing. With the Arab kingdom’s coronation as host of the 2034 World Cup just days away, a new report details a web of Saudi sponsorship deals, but cautions that good governance could suffer as a result.
Guehi’s ‘come to Jesus’ moments earn Premier League warning
December 5 – England international and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi will face no formal action from the English Football Association despite defying its rules for a second time by writing a religious message on his kit during a Premier League game celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Masar Omeragic is sole candidate to replace Muamed Sejdini in FFM presidential election
December 5 – Masar Omeragic (pictured), a former player and member of the FFM Board of Directors, is the sole candidate for the Football Federation of Macedonia’s presidential elections, to be held on December 22.
LigaMX clubs to vote on £1.25bn private equity stake in commercial rights from Apollo
December 5 – Mexico’s LigaMX clubs are set to vote on a $1.25 billion proposal to sell a stake in their commercial rights to private equity giant Apollo Global Management with deal also including participation from the NFL.
Home Depot tools up for 2026 World Cup sponsorship in their backyard
December 5 – In a sign that enthusiasm is starting to build with American sponsors ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, Home Depot has announced that they have become an official tournament sponsor.
The ‘Don’ commissioned for another two seasons as MLS boss
December 5 – The ‘Don’ of Major League Soccer (MLS), commissioner Don Garber, has had his contract extended to the end of the 2027 MLS season by the board of governors.
Haram. Man United players stonewall the LGBTQ+ jacket
December 5 – Football and the LGBTQ+ community have worked together tirelessly over the last few years to bring more initiatives to the public forum. As one of the world’s biggest clubs, how Manchester United approaches this subject always makes news.
Canadian Tire signs on as founding partner of Northern Super League
December 5 – The Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s football league, has unveiled Canadian Tire Corporation as a Founding Partner in a landmark multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement.
TIM signs 2-year premium partnership with Juve
December 5 – Juventus have signed a new two-year deal with Italian telecoms giant TIM, which will see the mobile provider become a premium partner of the club until 2026.
FIFA releases pot seeding for 2025 Club World Cup draw on Thursday
December 4 – FIFA has seeded the 32 qualified clubs for the December 5, 2025 Club World Club draw into four pots, with four European and four South American clubs making up the top eight seeds in Pot 1.
No sweat. FIFA prepares groundwork for another Winter World Cup in 2034
December 4 – Having already sparked widespread disbelief at being fast-tracked as the sole candidate to stage the 2034 World Cup – they will officially be rubber-stamped as hosts on December 11 – it is now seems highly likely that Saudi Arabia will become the second country to stage the event in winter, following in the footsteps of Qatar.
Former USWNT coach and San Diego Wave president takes chief football officer role at FIFA
December 4 – More than a few eyebrows will have been raised across the global game after FIFA announced it has brought in two-time US women’s World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis to the new position of chief football officer.