CAF announces record earnings
By Andrew Warshaw
February 13 – Despite being regarded as one of the less affluent FIFA groupings, African football has announced record financial earnings.
World Football
South Sudan welcomed as official CAF member nation
By Andrew Warshaw
February 13 – Seven months after becoming an independent country following a bloody civil war, South Sudan has been admitted as the 54th member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), paving the way for it to be named as the 209th FIFA nation.
Ajax Supervisory Board offer resignations over Cruyff dispute
By David Gold
February 11 – The entire Ajax Supervisory Board have offered to resign to bring to an end the civil war between those supportive of, and those opposed to, the plans of club legend Johan Cruyff (pictured), which continues to paralyse the Dutch champions.
CAS to determine Persipura’s Asian Champions League participation
By David Gold
February 11 – Uncertainty surrounds an Asian Champions League qualifier between Adelaide United of Australia and Indonesia’s Persipura, who were reinstated in the competition by a provisional Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) judgement.
Hijab ban is limiting participation, insists FIFA’s Prince Ali
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Muslim women are being discouraged from taking up football because of the worldwide ban of the hijab, the Islamic headscarf, according to FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, the man leading the campaign to change the rules.
FIFA reveal 50 national match fixing investigations
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – The scourge of match fixing across the globe has resulted in up to 50 separate national investigations, FIFA has revealed.
China’s Zhang Jilong wants permanent role as head of AFC
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – The acting head of Asian football, China’s Zhang Jilong (pictured), has revealed for the first time that he would like the post on a permanent basis after replacing the suspended Mohamed Bin Hammam.
Trinidad and Tobago internationals rebel against unpaid bonuses
By David Gold
February 9 – Office equipment has been seized from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) by a group of players who participated in the 2006 World Cup as a payment dispute escalates.
Europe’s catenaccio economy slows growth of football’s biggest clubs
By David Owen
February 9 – Much as massed catenaccio defences once frustrated the best strikers, so Europe’s economic woes are slowing revenue growth at the continent’s top football clubs.
Stuart Pearce named as England’s caretaker manager
By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – Stuart Pearce (pictured left) was today given caretaker control of the England team for the upcoming friendly against Holland on February 29 following a tempestuous 24 hours sparked by the shock resignation of manager Fabio Capello (right), English Football Association chairman David Bernstein confirmed.
South Sudan to become provisional CAF members
By David Gold
February 9 – South Sudan is set to become a provisional member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as they continue their journey on the way to becoming a member of FIFA.
Africa joins forces with United Nations to support peace in Africa
By David Gold
February 9 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) have agreed to work together to promote peace and security in central Africa.
Fabio Capello quits as England manager leaving Redknapp as favourite to take over
By Andrew Warshaw
February 8 – Fabio Capello sensationally quit as England manager tonight with immediate effect – ironically on the day Harry Redknapp, the bookies’ favourite to have replaced him after Euro 2012, was cleared of tax evasion charges after a two-week trial.
Sauli Niinistö steps down as boss of Finnish FA to take up role as nation’s President
By David Gold
February 8 – Sauli Niinistö (pictured left) has quit his post as President of the Football Association of Finland (SPL-FBF) after being elected as the President of Finland.
Clubs show a terrifying lack of respect for players, warns FIFPro
By Andrew Warshaw
February 8 – The global union for professional players, FIFPro, has called on FIFA and UEFA to heed their calls to make sure players in some countries are paid on time by their clubs or risk a potential strike.