AFC sets 2022 general secretaries conference for Saudi Arabia in January
December 22 – The Asian Football Confederation has convened its General Secretaries’ Conference 2022 for January 13-15 in Saudi Arabia.
My ball, my game, my money: Infantino and Wenger set unwavering path to biennial World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
December 21 – The entire narrative of a biennial World Cup, thought to have been irrevocably stalled because of widespread opposition, has been catapulted back into the limelight with FIFA president Gianni Infantino claiming it would “benefit everyone without harming anyone”.
Premier League and EFL refuse to take Covid-break and keep to Xmas schedules
December 21 -Premier League fixtures over Christmas and New Year are to controversially go ahead despite calls for a two-week break because of the surge in Covid-19 infections that has already caused nine matches to be postponed.
VISA carded for FIFA Women’s football sponsorship
December 21 – FIFA has announced VISA as its first Global Women’s Football Partner under its newly launched commercial partnership structure that has separated the mens and women’s commercial sales sponsor offers and which comes into effect in 2023.
CAF boss Motsepe reassures that AFCON will kick off in Cameroon on Jan 9
December 21 – In his last-minute visit to Cameroon, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has given some reassurances that the Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead as planned after weeks of uncertainty.
Barcelona’s socios mandate board to secure €1.5bn for Espai Barça project
December 21 – Barcelona can’t afford players to keep their playing squad competitive in European competition, but that hasn’t stopped the association’s members mandating the board to raise up to €1.5 billion to pay for the Espai Barça project.
AFC starts 30-day countdown to Women’s Asian Cup as LOC prepares a digital presence
December 21 – The 30 days to go countdown has begun for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 which will be played across three venues in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune from January 20 to February 6.
Botafogo, back in Brazil’s top flight, secure 30-year tenure at Olympic Stadium
December 21 – Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo will keep playing at the Olympic Stadium until 2051 after renewing the venue’s concession.
Belgian Pro League chair Croonen quits saying the club-league tightrope walk is too difficult
December 21 – Peter Croonen (pictured) has stepped down as chairman of the Belgian Pro League after a dispute over the domestic calendar with Racing Genk, the club he also chairs.
AstroPay expands Burnley deal to women’s shirt sponsorship
December 21 – Premier League Burnley’s sleeve sponsor AstroPay, has added the short sponsorship of the club’s women’s team to its assets, as well as taking a sponsorship of the dugouts at Turf Moor.
Spurs’ Euro campaign over as UEFA rule they must forfeit Rennes tie
December 20 – Tottenham Hotspur have been eliminated from the Europa Conference League after UEFA ruled their postponed fixture against Rennes would be deemed as forfeited.
Clubs convened for Covid calendar crisis confab
December 20 – Premier League clubs were convening today to discuss the Covid-19 crisis engulfing the competition that saw six out of 10 games called off over the weekend.
AFCON uncertainty over Infantino’s backing of player withdrawals and CWC date clash
December 20 – Fresh uncertainty has emerged over whether next month’s African Nations Cup in Cameroon will take place following claims that FIFA president Gianni Infantino has intervened.
Arab Cup: Algeria beat Tunisia to complete successful Qatar 2022 test
By Samindra Kunti in Al Khor, Qatar
December 20 – In an all-North African final, Algeria defeated Tunisia 2-0 with extra-time goals from Amir Sayoud and Yacine Brahimi to claim their first Arab Cup, a tournament that served as a dress rehearsal for World Cup hosts Qatar.
Shaikh Salman says Arab Cup showed Qatar will showcase best of Asia and Arab world
December 20 – As the Arab Cup completed at the weekend, AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa declared that Qatar was “more than ready” to stage the 2022 World Cup that would showcase “the true spirit of our Asian and Arab hospitality”.