Paul Nicholson

December 18 – In an open letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, European lawmakers have expressed “grave concern” over the hosting of the 2034 World Cup by Saudi Arabia. Led by Danish MEP Niels Fuglsang, about 30 members of the European Parliament issued a warning to the football supremo, expressing their “grave concerns regarding the decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.” The lawmakers argue that the decision undermined “the principles upon which FIFA was founded.” The letter reads: “We also stand in solidarity with the professional footballers who have raised legitimate questions about FIFA’s partnership with Aramco. Read more …

An aerial view of the newly completed roundabout at the intersection of Old Arcata and Jacoby Creek roads. | Photo: City of Arcata

December 19 – The start-up Northern Super League, the professional women’s league that launches in 2025 with six teams, has unveiled hummel as its official kit provider.

December 19 – Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv management has invited the deputies of six political parties to a meeting as the club seeks answers to questions on the travel restrictions imposed on the club’s Russian owner, Anton Zingarevich.

December 19 – The highly anticipated return of FC Barcelona to their spiritual home, the iconic Camp Nou, looks set to be delayed yet again.

December 19 – Hot on the heels of announcing a deal with the beer giant of Asia, Tiger Beer, Tottenham Hotspur, is back with another Asian-themed partnership, this time in the form of the Netflix smash hit, Squid Game, which was developed in the country of their captain, Son Heung-min of South Korea. The North London club will collaborate with Netflix to support the much-anticipated release of Squid Game Season 2. Read more …

December 19 – The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will be staged from December 21 to January 18, 2026, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed. The confederation’s executive committee rubber-stamped the decision to move the flagship tournament to winter because of the expanded 32-team Club World Cup that will be staged next summer in the United States. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was supposed to be played in mid-year to alleviate the club-vs-country choice for players, Read more …

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.

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.

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.