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By Andrew Warsahw
July 29 – Russia has hauled in its big-hitters, including Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, to take part in a high-profile sports forum a fortnight before becoming the first European candidate for the 2018 World Cup to be scrutinised by FIFA’s six-man inspection team.
July 28 – FIFA are to blame for some of the problems that Brazil is now experiencing in its build-up to the 2014 World Cup, the country’s Sports Minister Orlando Silva (pictured left) claimed today.
July 24 – Japan’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup is set to be thrown into crisis with Motoaki Inukai, who is heading the campaign, set to be forced out after a row over “forceful” style of management.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 22 – Australian officials behind the country’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup, including Frank Lowy (pictured), have been cleared by FIFA of breaking the rules by giving unauthorised gifts to voters, it was announced today.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 22 – Lord Triesman has claimed that England’s World Cup bid has been better received abroad than at home.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 22 – Bristol’s future as a potential host city for the 2018 World Cup if England are awarded the tournament is in severe doubt after local councillors rejected plans to build a Sainsbury’s superstore at Ashton Gate.
July 22 – A FIFA delegation has arrived in South Korea on the second leg of its tour to inspect bidders to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
July 22 – Brazil’s biggest city Sao Paulo is facing the prospect of missing out of hosting matches during the 2014 World Cup after officials failed to come up with a solution to finding a suitable stadium.
July 22 – FIFA’s team of inspectors today praised Japan’s 2022 World Cup bid for its balance between old and new, environmental awareness and a high-tech approach, including a plan for 3-D match telecasts.
By Mike Rowbottom
July 21 – A report from a leading sports economist warning that bidding for another World Cup would be a costly mistake for the United States has generated fierce debate.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 21 – Danny Jordaan will join up with the FIFA team of inspectors evaluating the bidders for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup in Australia, he has revealed today.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 21 – Spain’s World Cup victory has given a massive lift to the country’s joint bid with Portugal to host the 2018 tournament, Sports Minister Jaime Lissavetzky has claimed.
July 21 – Durban officials have claimed that they are working on plans to ensure that the Moses Mabhida Stadium has a sustainable future now that the World Cup is over.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 19 – FIFA’s team of inspectors arrived in Japan today to begin evaluating the candidates for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup but were unexpectedly missing Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of South Africa 2010, who had been expected to be part of the delegation.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 19 – Mohamed Bin Hammam, the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), will told talks with Chinese Vice-Sports Minister Cui Dalin in Beijing tomorrow with the prospect of a bid from China for the 2026 World Cup set to be top of the agenda.