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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 13 – The United States have tried to take advantage of Australia’s problems with the rival codes by insisting that they have no problem with gaining control of the stadiums that they want to use for the World Cup.
By David Owen at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
June 12 – “We don’t know what is going to happen today”. This comment by Sergio Gustavo Segovia, a journalist with Diario Crónica, the Buenos Aires daily, epitomises the ambivalence many Argentinians feel about the man at the helm of their 2010 World Cup challenge: Diego Armando Maradona, possessor of the notorious Hand of God, quite possibly the greatest footballer seen on this planet.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 12 – The United States does not have any plans at the moment to withdraw its bid for the 2018 World Cup, even though they are the only non-European bidders left following the decision of Australia earlier this week to concentrate on winning the right to host the 2022 tournament.
By David Owen at Soccer City, Johannesburg
June 11 - We have lift-off. Finally, at 3.55pm local time, the moment an entire continent had been waiting for: Jacob Zuma, South African President, declared the “African World Cup” open.
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June 10 - David Beckham was again the attraction at the 60th FIFA Congress today as he once again lent his weight to England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup, including meeting with UEFA President Michel Platini.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 10 – Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa to make his first formal appearance in Russia’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup, lobbying against England even though he is the owner of Premier League champions Chelsea.
By David Owen in Johannesburg
June 10 – Australia tonight announced that it was pulling out of the race to host the 2018 World Cup to concentrate on its efforts to stage the 2022 competition.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Asia will support Europe’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, even though one of its members is campaigning to host the tournament that year, President Mohamed Bin Hammam announced today.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Australia is emerging as the leading contender to host the 2022 World Cup, the bid’s head Frank Lowy (pictured) has claimed.
June 8 – Actress Charlize Theron is supporting Brad Pitt’s bid to see the US host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Russia has offered to help Trinidad and Tobago “in any way possible” in what seems to be an effort to persuade FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to vote for their World Cup bid ahead of England.
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 7 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter insists there will be no repeat at the World Cup of Sunday’s stampede at a warmup game between Nigeria and North Korea that left 16 people injured.
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 7 – The race for the 2018 World Cup has intensified after FIFA today re-affirmed the decision to endorse joint bids.
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June 7 – SIS LIVE, Europe’s largest outside broadcast and uplink supplier, is to become an official supporter of the England 2018 World Cup bid, they have announced.
June 6 – France’s troubled build-up to the World Cup has suffered another blow after the country’s Sports Minister Rama Yade criticised the squad for staying at a luxury hotel.