Pele backs Netherlands-Belgium World Cup bid
May 31 – Netherlands and Belgium’s joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup has been backed by Abedi Ayew Pele (pictured), one of Africa’s greatest ever footballers.
World Cup
Milton Keynes stages international match in empty stadium
May 30 - Milton Keynes, which is bidding to be one of the host venues for the 2018 World Cup if England are awarded the tournament , tonight hosted its first-ever full international fixture but only 100 people turned up to see it.
FIFA Executive Committee member claims he has made his mind up for 2018 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
May 30 – Marios Lefkaritis (pictured), a prominent member of FIFA’s 24-strong Executive Committee, says he has already virtually made up his mind who to back for the 2018 World Cup – but will not reveal where his vote is going.
Lowy: They have no idea what they are talking about
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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 28 – Frank Lowy (pictured left), the chairman of Australia’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, has hit back at critics after a website claimed that they had slipped behind rivals like Qatar and South Korea.
FIFA dismiss Triesman referee bribery allegations
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 28 – Claims by Lord Triesman that Spain and Russia were colluding to bribe referees at this year’s World Cup have been dismissed by FIFA’s Ethics Commission, it was announced today.
Exclusive: Plan to host World Cup matches in North Korea not affected by rising tensions
By David Owen
May 27 – One of the leaders of South Korea’s 2022 World Cup bid has said he is keen that rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula should not interfere with attempts to involve North Korea in the bid.
Bristol City plan for 2018 World Cup stadium approved
May 26 – Bristol City’s plans to build a new stadium at Ashton Vale that would stage matches if England are awarded the 2018 World Cup has been given the go-ahead by local authorities.
FIFA release 150,000 tickets for World Cup
May 26 – FIFA plans to release 150,000 World Cup tickets tomorrow, including seats at the opening and final matches for next month’s tournament in South Africa, they announced today.
Australian World Cup bid leader is country’s richest man, new survey reveals
By Duncan Mackay
British Internet Sports Writer of the Year
May 26 – Frank Lowy (pictured left), the chairman of Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the leader of the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, has come out top as Australia’s richest man for the first time, a new survey published today revealed.
Rivals hold no grudge against England 2018 claims new bid leader
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 22 – England 2018 have managed to minimise the damage caused by Lord Triesman’s allegations about World Cup rivals Spain and Russia being involved in bribery, new bid leader Geoff Thompson (pictured) claimed tonight.
We smiled when we heard Triesman claims say Spain
May 21 – Spain claim that they not taking Lord Triesman’s allegations of a Russian-Spanish match-fixing plot at the World Cup seriously, said the country’s Secretary of State for Sport Jaime Lissavetzky (pictured far left).
Blatter backed England 2018 action over Triesman claims Coe
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 21 – Sepp Blatter has backed the action England 2018 took over Lord Triesman’s allegations that rivals Spain and Russia were colluding together illegally to bribe referees at next month’s World Cup in South Africa, Sebastian Coe has claimed.
Obama to miss World Cup in South Africa
May 21 – United States President Barack Obama will not attend the World Cup, which opens in South Africa on June 11, and will instead by represented by his vice-president Joe Biden.
Exclusive: Cryuff and Gullit confident that Holland/Belgium bid can beat odds
By Andrew Warshaw
May 20 – Holland and Belgium may be rank outsiders when it comes to the 2018 World Cup but Johan Cryuff and Ruud Gullit (pictured) are convinced their green campaign will be a powerful enough argument to cause the biggest ever upset in bidding history.
Triesman allegations won’t harm England claims Jack Warner
By Andrew Warshaw
May 20 – FIFA vice-president Jack Warner is the latest Executive Committee member to comment on Lord Triesman’s controversial resignation as leader of England’s 2018 World Cup bid and the damage it might cause.