January 7 – Ajax Amsterdam have abandoned their training camp in Portugal following an outbreak of coronavirus infections. They follow in the footstep of PSV, Feyenoord and a slate of Belgian clubs who decided to cancel their winter camps altogether.
By Samindra Kunti
January 7 – Three years late and with the coronavirus crisis a major concern on the touchline, Cameroon will kick off the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil against Burkina Faso on Sunday. Defending champions Algeria and Senegal start as favourites to win the continental finals.
January 7 – MLS club Inter Miami CF look to have finally struck a deal for the site and build of a new soccer-specific stadium with the City of Miami, according to local media reports.
January 7 – Yet another high-profile Italian fixture has descended into farce because of Covid-19 with Inter Milan’s game at Bologna called off even though the visitors had turned up to play.
By Paul Nicholson
January 6 – Former US Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro is bidding for a comeback, having announced his candidacy for the presidential elections that will be held at the USSF National Council meeting this March.
January 6 – As many observers feared, the African Cup of Nations has been plunged into Covid chaos just days ahead of kick-off with Senegal, one of the favourites, among those worst hit.
January 6 – The president of Bundesliga team Union Berlin has got tongues wagging in Germany by accusing politicians of using Covid restrictions around football to further their own agendas.
January 6 – On the eve of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has partnered with sportswear giant Umbro in a multi-year deal.
January 6 – After consultation between the Cameroonian government and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), attendances at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations will be capped at 60-80% of stadium capacity. The tournament kicks off on Sunday.
January 6 – Singapore-based investment fund ACA Football Partners has taken ownership control of KMSK Deinze, the Belgian second-division club has announced.
By Samindra Kunti
January 5 – Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet sighs at all the adversity. His Scorpions will participate for the first time in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, but in an interview with Insideworldfootball, he explains how the debutants’ preparations have been derailed by Covid-19 infections, cancelled friendlies, injuries and the late release of European-based players.
January 5 – Danish international Christian Eriksen has said he wants to represent his country at the World Cup. The midfielder hasn’t played since his cardiac arrest against Finland in the European Championships last June.
January 4 – In a New Year message to MLS fans, commissioner Don Garber has emphasised how the league’s clubs have grown to become “essential members of our communities” and the passion US fans are showing for players and clubs.
January 4 – Salernitana, dubbed in Italy as the club that wished it had never got promoted to Serie A, have been saved from being kicked out after acquiring a new owner at the 11th hour.
January 4 – Auckland City officials say they are “bitterly disappointed’’ at having to pull out of Club World Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates for a second successive year over Covid-19 quarantine issues.