ESPN sign £60 million deal to show FA Cup
By Duncan Mackay
December 9 – ESPN signed a four-year deal £60 million deal today to broadcast live FA Cup matches in Britain to fill the void left by collapsed network Setanta.
UAE hoping to impress with FIFA Club World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
December 8 – Abu Dhabi organisers have been praised for their preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup, which opens tomorrow and which could be the launchpad for a bid for the 2026 World Cup.
Japanese Government to support bid but offer no cash
By Duncan Mackay
December 8 – Japan’s Government has promised to support the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup but will not provide any state funding they said today.
FIFA communications chief quits
By Duncan Mackay
December 8 – FIFA’s director of communications Hans Klaus (pictured) has resigned from football’s world governing body following a dispute over strategy less than 200 days before the opening of the World Cup in South Africa.
New York City Mayor joins USA World Cup Bid Board
December 7 – Michael Bloomberg (pictured), the Mayor of New York City, has joined the Board of the USA Bid Committee for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, taking his place alongside a high-powered group that also includes Arnold Schwarzenegger and Henry Kissinger.
Exclusive: Europe should not be complacent about 2018 World Cup warns Lowy
By David Owen in Cape Town
December 8 – FIFA needs to move decisively to claim Asia as “football territory”, according to Frank Lowy (pictured), the Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman.
Brown holds talks with FIFA vice-president at Downing Street
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By Duncan Mackay in London
December 7 – Prime Minister Gordon Brown has held talks at Downing Street with Dr Mong-Joon Chung (pictured middle), a FIFA vice-president, to help promote England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Premier League donation demonstrates their support claims Anson
By Duncan Mackay
December 7 – The Premier League’s support of England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup was demonstrated at the weekend when clubs donated perimeter advertising at their fixtures to promote the bid, chief executive Andy Anson (pictured) has claimed.
South Africa 2010 set to be shown in 3D
December 7 - Football fans will be able to watch the 2010 World Cup in 3D, thanks to a deal struck between FIFA, the sport’s governing body, and electronics giant Sony.
Ukraine confident UEFA will approve Euro 2012 venues
By Duncan Mackay
December 7 – Ukraine and Poland, co-hosts of the 2012 European Championship, have said that they are confident that UEFA will accept the four Ukrainian cities put forward to host matches.
Passarella becomes new River Plate President after controversial election
December 7 – Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning captain Daniel Passarella (pictured) was today elected president of River Plate after winning an election that was overshadowed by allegations of fraud and corruption.
Australian World Cup bid hit by Aussie Rules row
By Duncan Mackay
December 7 – Ben Buckley, the chief executive of Football Federation Australia (FFA), has tried to reassure the Australian Football League (AFL) that they will not have to cancel their season if the country is awarded the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
Exclusive: Korea World Cup would help unite country claims bid leader
By David Owen in Cape Town
December 6 – A Korean World Cup could see matches taking place in both parts of the divided peninsula, Han Sung-Joo, the chairman of the South Korea 2022 World Cup Bidding Committee, has told insideworldfootball in an exclusive interview.
Exclusive: World Cup bidders will fall away warns FIFA executive
By Andrew Warshaw in Cape Town
December 6 - Some of the 10 candidates vying for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup will almost certainly be forced to withdraw before the vote is taken just over a year from now, a senior FIFA administrator has predicted.
England line up Egypt friendly to promote World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
December 5 – England’s pairing with Algeria in the draw for 2010 World Cup seems set to give them the country’s 2018 World Cup bid the perfect opportunity to try to impress one of the 24 members of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee who are due to vote next year on which countries should host the tournament.