Le Graët cleared to take UEFA seat on FIFA Council
January 9 – At 78, he would be too old to serve on UEFA’s executive committee yet can still represent Europe at the top table of FIFA.
MLS plan 25th season celebrations but need to complete player contract talks
January 9 – Major League Soccer has unveiled plans to celebrate the league’s 25th anniversary, including a jersey reveal ahead of New York Fashion Week and other events to mark the landmark.
Shame on Serie A: Lazio get off lightly for fans’ racist abuse of Balotelli
January 9 – Lazio have been fined a token €20,000 for their fans’ racial abuse of Mario Balotelli during last weekend’s Serie A fixture at Brescia, avoiding a stadium closure.
BeIN scores twice with Euro 2020 rights in France and US distribution deal
By Paul Nicholson
January 9 – It has been a good week so far for Qatar-based broadcaster BeIN Sports who have secured the rights in France to the UEFA 2020 European Championships, while in the US expanding its free service, BeIN Sports Xtra, on to the HC2 Broadcasting platform.
Mane scoops top African men’s player award, Oshoala wins women’s title for 4th time
January 9 – Liverpool and Senegal’s Sadio Mane – in what is a rare reversal of awards fortune – came out on top of Egyptian and club team mate Mo Salah to win the African men’s player of the year award for 2019. Nigerian and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala took the African women’s player of the year.
Advertising regulator orders Betway to pull video featuring West Ham starlet Declan Rice
January 9 – The UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has ordered Betway to drop a video promotion that it deems to be advertising and in breach of advertising regulations.
Abramovich pumps £247m into Chelsea as Conte walks away with £26m
January 8 – Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich poured £247 million into the club last season as the club recorded an overall loss of £96.6 million according to latest accounts.
Mbappé and Sterling top player value ranking at over €220m. Neymar plummets to €100m
January 8 – A player valuation ranking by the CIES Football Observatory makes Kylian Mbappé (France and Paris St-Germain) the world’s most valuable player at €265.2 million, with Man City and England’s Raheem Sterling at €223.7 million.
AFC U23 Championship kicks off in Thailand with Tokyo Olympics slots at stake
January 8 – Iraq and Australia kicked off the AFC U-23 Championship in Thailand with a 1-1 draw today. At press time, hosts Thailand were playing Bahrain. The 16 teams are playing for three slots at this summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
Sunderland board says owner Donald has ‘no option’ other than sell the club
January 8 – Sunderland owner Stewart Donald (pictured) has confirmed via a statement on the club website that he will sell the League One club after mounting pressure from supporters over the holiday period demanding he leave. Donald has been in ownership charge for 18-months.
From hero to zero. Liberians protest at Weah’s political playbook and missing millions
January 8 – George Weah, Liberia’s most decorated player who now runs the country, is facing the biggest crisis of either his footballing or political career.
OL powers into the esports big leagues with LDLC partnership
By Paul Nicholson
January 8 – Olympique Lyonnais (OL) are the latest European Big 5 league club to formalise and expand its professional e-sports operation to compete under the club’s name on a variety of game platforms as well as the FIFA platform.
Todger-toting Malaga coach Sanchez suspended after video goes viral
January 8 – Second-tier Spanish side Malaga have suspended their coach Victor Sanchez del Amo (pictured) after a sexually explicit video of him appeared on social media.
Man City lands global appliance giant Midea as sponsor partner
January 8 – Premier League Manchester City has unveiled a new global partnership with consumer appliances manufacturer Midea.
Duffy switches NWSL role for Orlando Pride lead
January 8 – Amanda Duffy (pictured) will step down as president of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States next month to become executive vice president of the Orlando Pride.