By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
November 18 – British Prime Minister David Cameron has invited FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to lunch in Zurich next week as lobbying for the 2018 World Cup intensifies, it has been reported.
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
November 18 – Two members of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee accused of corruption were today prevented from voting in the decision to award the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 after they were banned for three and one years respectively by the organisation’s Ethics Committee.
By Tom Degun in London
November 17 – Andy Anson, the chief executive of the England 2018 World Cup bid, has hit out at the BBC accusing them of being “unpatriotic” in their plans to screen a Panorama documentary regarding allegations of FIFA corruption.
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
November 17 – The most powerful man in Asian football insisted today that Qatar was still on track to host the World Cup despite an unfavourable assessment by FIFA but stressed the world governing body should “never again” vote on back to back tournaments at the same time.
By David Owen
November 16 – Qatar’s ambitious bid to bring the World Cup to the Middle East has been dealt a blow by FIFA inspectors, who have branded plans to play the competition there in June and July as “a potential health risk”.
By David Owen
November 16 – FIFA inspectors have criticised England’s 2018 World Cup bid for potentially exposing world football’s governing body to “excessive” hotel pricing and booking conditions.
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
November 15 – The head of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid has launched a passionate defence of his country’s campaign as the Gulf state readies itself for a verdict that could decide its fate two weeks before schedule.
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November 15 – England 2018 have sent a letter to all FIFA Executive Committee members to try to repair the damage caused by two media investigations into World Cup bidding.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 12 – Holland and Belgium’s joint 2018 World Cup bid rolled into France today and shook off the underdog status that has dogged them since the start of the campaign.
By David Owen
November 12 – A glittering array of VIPs is expected in Zurich next month for the climax of the high-stakes battles for the right to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
November 12 -Budding young Australian footballers enjoyed a “video breakfast” with their heroes – Qantas Socceroo Mark Schwarzer in London and Westfield Matilda Melissa Barbieri in Melbourne.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 11 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has called an unscheduled meeting of his Executive Committee for November 19, two days after a potentially landmark ruling over World Cup corruption allegations involving two high-ranking members and two bidding nations.
By David Owen
November 11 – Keenly-awaited reports on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids are set to be dispatched to FIFA Executive Committee members tomorrow as the battle to host one of the world’s biggest sporting occasions heads for a dramatic denouement, insideworldfootball has learnt.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 10 – The contents of an infamous hand-written note could hold the key to Spain-Portugal and Qatar being exonerated of any World Cup bidding collusion next week.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 10 – The United States’ bid for the 2022 World Cup has received a jolt with the revelation that one of its own confederation members on FIFA”s Executive Committee may not vote for it.