Sochi praised by FIFA World Cup 2018 delegation
By David Gold
June 1 – The head of the FIFA delegation currently touring prospective host cities for the Russia 2018 World Cup has praised the black sea resort of Sochi.
News
West Ham refuse to discuss sharing Olympic Stadium with Leyton Orient
By Duncan Mackay
June 1 – West Ham United today ruled out sharing the Olympic Stadium with Leyton Orient, claiming that they are the only club in East London capable of filling the arena on a regular basis.
Manchester United deal with General Motors announced
By David Gold
June 1 – General Motors’ Chevrolet brand has become the automotive sponsor of Manchester United in a five year deal to help promote the car to the club’s 659 million fans and beyond.
Trinidad calls for further investigations into 2011 bribe scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – Trinidad and Tobago’s chief prosecutor says further investigations may be needed into how around $1 million (£652,000/€811,000) was brought into the country and paid to Caribbean football officials in last year’s cash-for-votes bribery scandal.
UEFA joins forces with FARE for Euro 2012 anti-discrimination campaign
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – The anti-discrimination group, Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), has linked up with UEFA to monitor obscene chanting and other racist activities at the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.
Brazil launch 2014 World Cup slogan
By David Gold
June 1 – Brazil 2014 has launched its official slogan for the world cup – “all in one rhythm”.
Despite initial FIFA support, Kosovo remain in world football limbo
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – FIFA appear to have backtracked slightly over the precise conditions of allowing the Balkan province of Kosovo to play friendly matches.
All squads for Euro 2012 confirmed
By David Gold
May 31 – The teams competing at this summer’s European Championship have all confirmed their squads for the tournament.
Financial breaches result in UEFA Europe ban for Turkish clubs
By David Gold
May 31 – Turkish outfits Beşiktaş and Bursaspor have been suspended from European competitions for a year by UEFA due to financial difficulties.
Barça and Real Madrid will consider TV rights share, says Spanish Minister
By David Gold
May 31 – Spanish Sports Minister José Ignacio Wert has said that Barcelona and Real Madrid are open to agreeing a more balanced television rights agreement with fellow La Liga teams.
Euro 2012 hosts reject British media’s racism allegations as “dreamed up”
By Andrew Warshaw
May 31 – The 2012 European Championship hosts Ukraine and Poland have hit back sharply at a BBC television programme that highlighted entrenched racism in both countries, saying the Panorama broadcast was “unbalanced and biased” and that fans would be perfectly safe.
FIFA confirm Confederations Cup venues
By Andrew Warshaw
May 31 – The capital Brasília will stage only one match at next year’s Confederations Cup in Brazil – the traditional dry run for the World Cup 12 months later.
Prime Minister Mario Monti suggests three-year veto on Italian football
By David Gold
May 30 – Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Monti has suggested that football be suspended in the country for as long as three years as a result of the latest match-fixing investigation.
Injury-hit defenders give Ireland and Russia coaches major headaches ahead of Euro 2012
By David Gold
May 30 – Kevin Foley is the highest profile casualty from the Republic of Ireland squad for the 2012 European Championship, while Russia coach Dick Advocaat has named uncapped defender Kirill Nababkin in his squad to alleviate an injury crisis.
ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo set to lead FIFA ethics team
By Andrew Warshaw
May 30 – FIFA’s clean-up campaign to root out corruption looks set to take a vital step forward by capturing the services of the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC).