AFCON fails to draw big crowds, but ticketing failure doesn’t help
January 16 – Fans trying to attend games at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast have been left frustrated even though matches have been played in half-empty stadiums.
World Football
African Cup of Upsets sees Namibia rubbish the form book with Tunisia win
January 17 – In a tournament already producing a slew of upsets, Namibia pulled off the biggest so far when they beat Tunisia 1-0 for their first ever African Cup of Nations win.
Italian Supercoppa set for Saudi kick-off with Puma on hand to get the ball rolling
January 17 – With Saudi Arabia set to host Italy’s Supercoppa for the fourth time, Puma have unveiled a dedicated match ball designed specifically for 2024 edition.
Kay Bernstein, Herta Berlin ultra who became president, dies, aged 43
January 17 – Hertha Berlin president Kay Bernstein, a former supporter who surprisingly took over the presidency of the club in 2022, has died suddenly at the age of 43, the club said in a statement.
Former baseball star slugger Jose Bautista looks to hit Las Vegas Lights FC out the park
January 17 – The Las Vegas football (soccer) market is heating up. The MLS are expected to announce a franchise in the city once an ownership group is formalised, third tier league NISA last week announced the admission of Las Vegas Legends, and this week Las Vegas Lights, playing in the second tier US Championship, have a new high profile owner.
Turks turn on Israeli players with Başakşehir’s Eden Kartsev now the target
January 15 – Following Turkey’s decision to deport Israeli player Sagiv Jehezkel over a gesture he made during an on-field celebration in sympathy with Hamas-held hostages in Gaza, attention has now turned to a second Israeli player who also expressed solidarity with the abductees.
Ricketts clings on to power in Jamaica after Congress postponed, but faces suspicion of vote-rigging
January 16 – Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts is clinging on to power following the postponement of an electoral JFF congress on Sunday.
Mogadishu Stadium killings at hands of sports minister’s guards force SFF to suspend play
January 16 – The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has suspended the flagship Inter-state tournament following a series of shootings at the Mogadishu Stadium that left two dead and several injured.
Magic ends for Mourinho at Roma as Freidkins pass wand to de Rossi
January 16 – Sacked again with presumably another large pay out. Jose Mourinho, whose contract was due to end in June anyway, may not have been the Special One for some considerable time but his bank balance must be pretty healthy.
South African TV channel sponsors two top tier clubs for its new SuperSportbet platform
January 15 – SuperSportbet, the South African online bookmaker just launched by South African sports broadcaster SuperSport, has has agreed a sponsorship with two South African Premier Division (DStv Premiership) clubs – Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Swedish club calls on its FA to lobby for Israel’s suspension from football
January 15 – An open letter has been sent by a Swedish sixth tier football club Proletären FF to Fredrik Reinfeldt, chairman of the Swedish Football Association, calling for the suspension of Israel from international football.
More uncertainty for AFCON as Motsepe says 2025 dates under discussion with FIFA
January 15 – The dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, scheduled for Morocco, are up in the air because of a potential clash with the new-look Club World Cup.
Reading-Port Vale abandoned after fans invade pitch protesting club’s ownership
January 15 – A third-tier English game between Reading and Port Vale was abandoned after just 16 minutes on Saturday after about 1,000 home fans invaded the pitch to protest against the Reading’s Chinese ownership.
AFCON favourites Egypt and Nigeria only manage draws, but Ivory Coast open with win
January 15 – Hosts and two-time winners Ivory Coast began with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau but hotly favoured Egypt and Nigeria were both held and Ghana beaten as the African Cup of Nations got under way at the weekend with a spate of surprises.
BYD plugs into Euro 2024 as e-mobility partner
January 15 – UEFA has announced new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD as an official partner and the Official E-Mobility Partner of Euro 2024.