Marta, 38, signs new two-year deal with Orlando Pride
January 13 – Women’s football icon Marta has signed a new two-year contract with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champions Orlando Pride, extending her illustrious club career.
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The Barca/Miami roadshow head deep into the Americas with pre-season schedule
January 13 – Inter Miami who caused a rumpus last year during pre-season when Lionel Messi was a no-show in Hong Kong, are on the road again playing games in North, Central, and South America.
National Assembly to provide reasons for exclusion of Botev Plovdiv’s Russian owner from Bulgaria
January 10 – Bulgaria’s National Assembly is to debate the case of Botev Plovdiv’s Russian owner Anton Zingarevich, who has been banned from entering the country.
Concacaf launches tender for betting sponsor
January 10 – Betting in football is a fact of life and the cost of doing business. In the club game, sponsorship is attached to almost anything that is within eyesight, however, the international game has been relatively immune until recently when both FIFA and UEFA agreed spnosrships with Betano and Bet365.
Women’s Championship clubs in England to trial drinking alcohol in the stands
January 10 – Drinking alcohol in the stands of English football grounds and stadium areas with views of the pitch was banned in 1985, however, four championship clubs from the women’s game will now take part in a new pilot program to allow fans to drink alcohol in the stands.
MLS salary cap rules make Inter Miami big-money move for Neymar unfeasible, says Mascherano
January 10 – Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano has ruled out the possibility of reuniting Neymar with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at the club, citing Major League Soccer’s (MLS) strict salary cap regulations as a major barrier.
PSG gets crypto-cuddly with Bitpanda
January 10 – French champions Paris Saint-Germain have announced a partnership with Austrian crypto platform Bitpanda.
Everton’s US owners fire Dyche with Moyes in talks over a return
January 10 – In the first big call by the club’s new American owners, Everton fired manager Sean Dyche on Thursday just three hours before playing an FA Cup match.
Red Bull’s wings land at Atletico Madrid
January 10 – Energy drinks are one of the unquestioned drivers of sponsorship in sports, with Red Bull often leading the way. They have further cemented that reputation by joining forces with Spanish powerhouse, Atlético de Madrid, becoming the official energy drink of the club until June 2027.
CPS reviews evidence of Premier League player accused of multiple rapes
January 9 – The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has begun reviewing a “full file” of evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police regarding a Premier League footballer accused of multiple counts of rape.
Spanish sports council grants Barca permission to register Olmo and Victor
January 9 – Spain’s national sports council (CSD) has granted Barcelona provisional permission to register Dani Olmo (pictured) and Pau Victor, following an appeal by the club after earlier rejections from La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Rich get richer as Spanish Super Cup opens with a Barca win
January 9 – The Spanish Super Cup, being played in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, opened with a 2-0 win for Barcelona over Athletic Club with goals by Gavi and Lamine Yamal, against a backdrop of protests against the unequal distribution of tournament revenue to clubs.
Graham Potter returns to Premier League management with West Ham
January 9 – Graham Potter says he is looking forward to a “big challenge” after being confirmed as the new West Ham manager, 24 hours after Julen Lopetegui was fired.
Balls up. Arsenal fail to get to grips with the Puma ball
January 9 – After losing the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals 2-0 to Newcastle United, Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta came up with the unusual excuse that the match balls may have been the cause for his team’s loss.
Emirates lands Galacticos-branded aircraft in Jeddah for start of Spanish Super Cup
January 9 – Current UEFA Champions League and La Liga holders Real Madrid are flying high in more ways than one after Emirates, the Official Main Partner of Real Madrid, revealed a special livery on one of its Boeing 777 aircraft.