Inside World Football

Saudi Arabia to guest at 2025 Gold Cup in US; final qualification play-offs set

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 06:54:38 +0000

December 20 – Saudi Arabia will compete at the 16-team Concacaf Gold Cup next summer, to be played predominantly on the West coast of the USA.

To date eight Concacaf teams have already qualified through the Concacaf Nations League, with seven more to be confirmed following the Gold Cup preliminary round play-offs in March 2025.

The eight Concacaf teams already qualified for the Gold Cup Group Stage are Canada, Curacao, Dominican Republic,

A22 says it consulted stakeholders. European Leagues say no-one spoke to them

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 05:56:28 +0000

December 20 – The European Leagues organisation has insisted it was not consulted by the promoters of the proposed European Super League regarding the relaunch of the breakaway concept as the Unify League.

The original European Super League (ESL), backed by 12 of the continent’s biggest clubs, evaporated almost overnight after it was controversially launched in 2021

Under the proposed revamp announced this week, Sports development company A22 said the new 96-club format across four leagues would be merit-based and more competitive than UEFA’s current club competitions.

French court jails Mathias Pogba for kidnapping and extortion of his brother, Paul

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 05:00:26 +0000

December 20 – There is sibling rivalry and then there is Paul and Mathias Pogba.

Mathias, brother to World Cup winner, and former Manchester United and Juventus superstar, Paul, was sentenced Thursday by a Paris criminal court to three years in prison, two of which are suspended.

The case against Mathias Pogba in a Paris criminal court was for an extortion and kidnapping case against his very own family member. The judge ordered Mathias Pogba and five other childhood friends,

Swedish FA appeals chair quits accusing SvFF of ‘spineless’ behaviour over 2034 award

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:59:54 +0000

December 20 -A senior Swiss lawyer who for nine years has sat on various Swedish FA committees and is currently chair of its appeals committee, has resigned from the federation over its failure to protest the award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

Kerstin Elserth told Fotsbalkanallen that she is leaving the Swedish FA (SvFF) die to its “spineless” acceptance of the FIFA 2034 World Cup bid process and its unquestioned acceptance of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and its engagement in “advanced sportswashing”.

AFC draws groups for Beach Soccer Asian Cup in Thailand; top three qualify for World Cup

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:49:50 +0000

December 20 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has drawn the groups for the 16-team AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup to be played in Thailand in March next year.

The tournament will be played at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya from March 20 to 30, 2025. The top three teams will qualify for the Beach Soccer World Cup in the Seychelles, the first time it has been hosted in Africa, in May 2025.

Defending champions Iran,

Control of Serie A’s Genoa passes to Romanian Dan Secu for €40m

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:47:49 +0000

December 20 – Romanian businessman Dan Șucu has taken control of the storied Italian club Genoa, ending months of uncertainty under the ownership of 777 Partners.

On Wednesday, Genoa, Italy’s oldest club, announced that the Romanian had acquired a majority stake following a capital increase in the club of €40 million for a 77% share. Three years ago, Genoa was sold to 777 Partners, bringing to an end the ownership of Enrico Preziosi.

UEFA names new second-tier club competition Women’s Europa Cup

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:47:44 +0000

December 20 – UEFA has named its newly launched second-tier women’s club tournament the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup.

Kicking off in the 2025/26 season, the landmark competition offers new opportunities for clubs to battle it out on the continental stage.

UEFA wanted a title that fans would instantly recognise and connect with so opted to draw on the established reputation of the men’s UEFA Europa League – ‘Europa’ signals the competition’s second-tier status in European football.

US academy league MLS Next aligns with Girls Academy to develop pro pathways

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:41:18 +0000

December 20 – The path to the top level of women’s soccer in the United States became a little clearer after MLS Next formed a strategic alliance with the Girls Academy (GA).

The GA has long been considered the gold standard for female soccer players in the US. The goal is to work together on technical standards, innovation, membership opportunities, and event integrations to enhance player development throughout North America.

MLS Next general manager Kyle Albrecht said: “Our strategic alliance with the Girls Academy fosters an aligned development pathway for boys and girls aspiring to reach their highest potential.

UEFA releases Respect Report detailing sustainability and social impact initiatives

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:32:20 +0000

December 20 – UEFA’s 2023/24 Respect Report outlines €12.1 million spent on sustainability initiatives last season, tracking over 100 key performance indicators in a data-driven effort to address football’s environmental and social impact.

A major milestone was reached as all 55 UEFA member associations now have dedicated sustainability managers and strategies, marking the first time Europe’s footballing bodies have aligned on sustainability goals. UEFA also rolled out 690 sustainability actions across its events –

Argentina round out year at top of Men’s World Ranking

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:20:47 +0000

December 20 – A record-breaking 1,181 international fixtures were played in 2024, yet with just 21 matches since November, the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking has seen little change heading into the new year.

Argentina remains firmly in first place, closing out the year as the top-ranked team despite a recent uncharacteristic shakiness with losses to Colombia and Paraguay.

They are followed by France and Spain in second and third, respectively –

Belgian Pro League agrees reduced DAZN TV deal and ponders new format discussion

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:20:17 +0000

December 20 – In a significant drop from the previous rights agreement, the Belgian Pro League and DAZB have signed a new five-year deal, worth €84,2 million. The reduction in broadcast fees has prompted clubs to talk about a review of the currrent league format.

Following a general assembly on Thursday, the Pro League announced the new agreement that sees the streaming service renew its position as a market leader in Belgium with the top flight,

FIFA opens Club World Cup ticket sales using dynamic pricing model

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:15:53 +0000

December 20 – FIFA have put the first round of Club World Cup tickets on sale, in a move which puts dynamic ticket pricing in place for the first time in football.

The upcoming tournament, already rife with controversy, attracted new attention earlier this week after Bayern Munich accidentally leaked the prices for the latter stages of the tournament – and they’re eye-watering.

For the time being, though, FIFA have put the first round of tickets on sale,

Pereira leaves Saudi Pro League Wolves’ a Premier League survival challenge

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:11:54 +0000

December 20 – Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers, in the English top flight since 2018, have hired the much-travelled Vitor Pereira as their new manager.

The 56-year-old Portuguese coach has agreed to leave Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia to take over a team in next-to-last place in England’s top flight, with just two wins from 16 games. He succeeds Gary O’Neil who was fired on Sunday – a day after a 2-1 loss to relegation rival Ipswich –

Romanian FA launches finance manual to guide players

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 03:57:13 +0000

December 20 – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) and the Romanian Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) launched a financial education manual dedicated to football players aged 10-16, to support them in managing their personal finances and making informed financial decisions both during and after their sports career.

The publication is part of a more comprehensive collaboration protocol, signed by ASF and FRF in May, with the common objective of facilitating access to financial education for as many football players as possible.

A22’s ‘Unify’ league plan creates division with UEC slamming its ‘elitist vision’

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:35:26 +0000

December 19 – The Union of European Clubs (UEC) has criticised A22’s ‘Unify’ plans over of its elitist blueprint for its proposed European club competition.

In a statement, the union, a home for smaller and medium-sized clubs on the continent, condemned A22’s new plans that mirrored a failed attempt to establish a European super league, saying: “The Union of European Clubs (UEC) strongly opposes A22’s latest proposal, the ‘Unify League’, which represents a deeply elitist vision for European football.

Freidkin completes Everton buy, ending Moshiri era

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:45:05 +0000

December 19 – After much too-ing and fro-ing and having pulled out of an original deal last summer, The Friedkin Group (TFG) has finally completed its majority takeover of Everton, ending the turbulent tenure of Farhad Moshiri and sparking fresh hope for fans of one the Premier League’s longest standing clubs.

The Texas-based group led by Dan Friedkin has bought former owner Moshiri’s 94.1% stake and have promised to bring financial stability to the club which for years has been in the shadow of near-neighbours Liverpool on the field.