Saudi FA pledges $500k to AFC Dream Asia Foundation
November 24 – The AFC Dream Asia Foundation has received a $500,000 boost via a pledge from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).
Sports minister warns crowd violence is threatening ‘survival’ of French football
November 24 – France’s sports minister Roxana Maracineanu (pictured) says repeated crowd trouble at Ligue 1 matches is putting the very survival of French football at risk.
Danish players lead nominations for FIFA Fair Play Award
November 24 – The life-saving intervention of Denmark’s players and medical staff after Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 has been nominated for FIFA’s Fair Play Award.
England extend Southgate deal to end of 2024
November 23 – England manager Gareth Southgate has signed a new contract to keep him in the role until the end of 2024.
FIFA wraps up 2026 host city inspections with Toronto visit
November 23 – Global governing body FIFA have wrapped up their inspection of candidate host cities for the 2026 World Cup with a final stop in Toronto, Canada. Next year, Zurich will select the final host cities for the tournament, the first global finals to be played in a 48-team format.
Billionaire Pereira takes over as first female president at Palmeiras
November 23 – On the eve of the Copa Libertadores final, Palmeiras have elected Leila Pereira as their new boss, the billionaire businesswoman becoming the first female president in the club’s history.
Qatar 2022 intercontinental play-offs to be winner-takes-all single-leg ties
November 23 – FIFA has decided to ditch the two-legged format for the intercontinental playoffs in favour of single games at neutral venues in the race to secure the final spots at next year’s World Cup.
Messi and Ronaldo go head-to-head again in FIFA’s annual awards battle
November 23 – FIFA have named their annual nominees for player of the year and it’s no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are once again in the running for the men’s award despite having a combined age of 70.
PSG add to AmEx deal with new term and esports hook up
November 23 – Paris Saint-Germain and American Express have extended their sponsorship deal until 2024 with the payment services giant also backing the Ligue 1 club’s esports team.
Paris FC takes on Subaskaran investment as it pushes for Ligue 1 status
November 23 – French second tier club Paris FC, who took a €5 million investment from the Bahrani royal family last year, has added a new investor in British-Sri Lankan entrepreneur Allirajah Subaskaran.
Data: Man City, Atletico and Chelsea keep playing groups tight
November 23 – Pep Guardiola might have the most expensively assembled squad in world football, but in the club’s last 42 games he has used just 25 players. In comparison over the same period Watford have used 42 players, Man Utd 32 and Liverpool 30.
Frecciarossa boards Serie A for Coppa Italia and Supercoppa ride
November 23 – Italian train operator Trenitalia has signed a deal with Lega Serie A for the naming rights for the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.
Qatar 2022: Fanfare for final year countdown but scepticism still lurks despite legacy hopes
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – With global scrutiny of Qatar’s human rights record showing little respite, the public face of the 2022 World Cup, Hassan Al-Thawadi, says he hopes the tournament will help “wash away” stereotypical attitudes towards the country.
Bayern threaten wage cuts for unvaccinated as Covid spike forces partial stadium closure
November 22 – The Europe-wide protests against new Covid restrictions have spilled over into football with Bayern Munich reportedly having informed their unvaccinated players that they will have their salaries cut during periods when they have to go into quarantine.
Cameroon ready for AFCON 2022 as anticipation builds for African showpiece
November 22 – Despite the usual pre-tournament noise, all systems are go for Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations. It has been a tournament that has been wobbling on the brink.