Moggi jail sentence reduced by Rome court
By David Gold
March 27 – Rome’s Court of Appeal has reduced former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi’s jail term to a year.
World Football
Indonesian football left in limbo after Congress cancelled
March 26 – Indonesia edged closer to facing FIFA sanctions when a scheduled assembly to organise the association’s first leadership election in four years descended into chaos and was cancelled.
La Liga strike planned for start of April
By David Gold
March 24 – La Liga games on the weekend of April 2/3 could be postponed if the Spanish professional soccer league (LPF) fails to resolve its dispute with the Government over a ruling that a La Liga game per matchday must be shown on free to air television.
Quieroz wins appeal against ban
By David Gold
March 23 – Carlos Queiroz’s appeal against six month ban from all football and sporting activities has been successful, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced.
Football Supporters’ Federation launch petition for safe standing
By David Gold
March 23 – The Football Supporters’ Federation today launched their petition to give supporters the choice to watch football games from a safe standing area at stadiums in England and Wales.
Watmore wants restructuring of Football Association
By David Gold
March 22 – Ian Watmore, the former chief executive of the Football Association, has criticised the organisation and called for it to be restructured under the guidance of an independent board.
Platini warns Serbia and Croatia “zero tolerance” on hooliganism
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
March 22 – Michel Platini began his second term in charge of UEFA today by launching a savage attack on the re-emergence of football hooliganism, saying he was “sick” of what was going on some parts of the continent.
FIFA announces record profits
By David Gold
March 22 – FIFA has revealed a record $631 million ($378 million) surplus over the last four years, with total revenue topping $4 billion (£2.4 billion), representing a 59 per cent increase on the previous four-year period.
UEFA to have woman on Executive Committee
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
March 22 – It came right at the end of end of his address to the great and good of European football and could easily have been construed as a throwaway line.
South American President set to remain in role for four more years
March 22 – Nicolas Leoz is set to remain as head of CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, after the continent’s ten members backed him unanimously.
Japanese stars to play in charity game
By David Gold
March 20 – All 12 Japanese internationals plying their trade in Europe will be available for Japan’s charity game against a J-League XI on March 29 to honour the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit the country earlier this month, it has been announced.
South Africa replace Libya as African Youth Championship hosts
By David Gold
March 19 – The 2011 CAF African Youth Championship will be hosted by South Africa after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the switch from war-torn Libya.
Japan to play charity game in place of New Zealand friendly
By David Gold
March 18 – Japan has been forced to cancel a friendly with New Zealand scheduled for March 29, due to be played in Tokyo, and will instead hold a charity match in Osaka, with their opponents yet to be confirmed.
Blatter opens football academy in Myanmar
By David Gold
March 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has opened a new football academy in Myanmar and spoken of the country’s potential to play a “very active role” in the development of football in Asia.
Chelsea emphasise commitment to Asia by renewing partnership
By David Gold
March 15 – Chelsea and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have renewed their partnership, formalising the club’s support to the development of football in the Asian confederation.