Qatar builds its tourism on back of World Cup investment
February 14 – Tourism is being given a massive facelift in Qatar as the country continues to build its infrastructure ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
News
Champions League odyssey wipes out Celtic’s debt
February 13 – Celtic may have lost on the pitch in their Champions League first leg last 16 tie with Juventus last night, but off the pitch they are without doubt Champions League winners.
Hammers edge close to stadium move to Olympic Park
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
February 13 – The long-running saga over using the London 2012 Olympic stadium for football appears to be a step closer following talks between West Ham United and legacy chiefs.
Inter fined after Balotelli thrown into middle of second race row
February 13 – Football has been struck by yet another episode of racism with Inter Milan fined €15,000 euros by the Italian league for abusive chanting by their fans towards Mario Balotelli who has just joined arch-rivals AC Milan from Manchester City.
IOC clears Park to collect his London 2012 Bronze medal
February 13 – Park Jong-woo, the South Korean Olympic team footballer, will be able to receive his Bronze medal from the 2012 Olympic Games after an International Olympic Committee Disciplinary Commission ruled in his favour.
Hearts face uncertainty as Romanov loses control of Ukio Bankas
February 13 – Scottish Premier League club Hearts face more financial uncertainty after Lithuanian owner Vladimir Romanov had the operations of his Ukio Bankas bank suspended and put under temporary administration by Lithuania’s central bank.
Super Eagle Keshi wins AFCON cup and quits
By Andrew Warshaw
February 12 – The price of success appears to be resignation for Nigeria’s successful African Nations Cup coach Stephen Keshi (pictured).
Police ask for tapes of Sky Sports racism investigation
By Mark Baber
February 12 – A Special Report on the UK’s Sky Sports News broadcast yesterday (February 11) revealed how a 3 month investigation had filmed racist abuse by five white men at Millwall on November 18 aimed at Leeds forward and Senegal international El Hadj Diouf.
Pompey future in the balance as High Court date looms
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
February 12 – The latest stage in the long-running battle to prevent Portsmouth from being expelled from English football is set to take place on Thursday with another High Court hearing into efforts by fans group Pompey Supporters’ Trust to save the club.
FIFA fines Brazilian agent over Gomes transfer to Spurs
By Andrew Warshaw
February 12 – FIFA’s determination to crack down on illegal activities by agents has been illustrated by Brazilian Renato de Moura Ricardo being fined SFR 7,000 by the world governing body’s Disciplinary Committee, the second time in two weeks FIFA has enforced its rules following last week’s sanctioning of CA Independiente of Argentina and Genoa CFC of Italy for misuse of the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS).
UEFA cuts price of Cat 4 Wembley final tickets
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
February 12 – Two years after its president Michel Platini admitted that inflated Champions League final tickets were a mistake, UEFA have cut the cost of the cheapest seats for this season’s showpiece finale.
AFC set May date for Congress and elections
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
February 11 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has selected May 2 for the date of its highly anticipated extraordinary Congress that will elect a new leader in succession to Mohamed bin Hammam and herald what officials hope will be the start of a new era of trust and credibility.
Match-fixing epidemic is a warning for English Premier League, says Eaton
By Andrew Warshaw
February 11 – FIFA’s former head of security, Chris Eaton (pictured), says the recent revelation of a virtual epidemic of match fixing should serve as a wake-up call for authorities across the world.
Hayatou to step down as CAF President…after his next term
By Mark Baber
February 11 – Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou says if he is re-elected in March it will be his last term as president.
Africa’s COSAFA Castle Cup to return in July
By Mark Baber
February 11 – The Cosafa Cup, suspended since 2010, will return this year with the re-launched tournament being held in Zambia in July, and Castle remaining on board as the main sponsor.