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.
Ronaldo set to make Saudi debut against Messi and PSG
January 10 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game in Saudi Arabia looks set to be against Paris Saint-Germain and a possible reunion with his career-long rival Lionel Messi.
Aussies hit Melbourne Victory with $310k fine after fan violence
January 10 – Last month’s unprecedented violent pitch invasion that shamed the sport in Australia has led to Melbourne Victory being fined a total of A$450,000 ($310,410) and handed a suspended 10-point deduction.
Is India a sleeping giant? AIFF launches Vision 2047 to match national ambition
January 1 – Under the title Vision 2047, India has launched a new roadmap to develop the domestic game with six four-year strategic plans and with the aim of making India an Asian powerhouse.
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.
Arabian Gulf Cup ready for Iraq kick-off with new sponsor Zain dialling up the promotion
January 6 – The 25th Arabian Gulf Cup kicks off today in Iraq, the first time the eight-team competition has been played since 2019 and the first time it has been hosted in Iraq since 1979.