Iraqi clubs banned from Asian Cup
January 7 – Iraqi clubs have been banned from this year’s Asian Cup, it was announced today.
World Football
MLS Cup final to remain at neutral venue
January 4 – The Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final, which last year featured David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy, will continue to be played at a neutral venue, it was announced today.
Bartlett launches search for South African talent
By Duncan Mackay
January 4 – Some of South Africa’s former players, led by Shaun Bartlett (pictured), have launched a series of “boot camps” for teenagers as part of a new scheme bankrolled by Nike to try to find new young talent.
Worawi sets Robson series of targets for 2010
By Duncan Mackay
January 3 – Worawi Makudi, whose position as President of the Football Association of Thailand (TAF) has been under threat, has signalled his intention to stay in his role by setting out a series of targets for coach, former England captain Bryan Robson (pictured with Worawi), during 2010.
Demands for Kennedy to stand down as President of IFA
January 3 – Calls are growing for Raymond Kennedy (pictured) to stand down as President of the Irish Football Association (IFA) following the six-figure payout to former chief executive Howard Wells.
FIFA appoints interim head in Togo
January 3 - FIFA has appointed General Seyi Memene (pictured), a veteran Togolese football administrator, as interim head of the Togo Football Federation (TFF).
Warner claims Trinidad & Tobago programme in danger over lack of funding
January 3 – Jack Warner (pictured), the FIFA vice-president, has warned that unless football receives more support in Trinidad & Tobago than the country’s national teams could soon be facing a major crisis.
Iranian football official forced to resign over New Year greeting to Israel
January 3 – Mohammad-Manour Azimzadeh (pictured), a senior official in the Iranian Football Federation (FFI), has been forced to resign after a New Year’s greeting email was apparently sent on his behalf to his counterparts in Israel.
Former Hearts and Scottish rugby chief executive headhunted by Man City owner
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December 31 - Phil Anderton (pictured), the former chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) and Heart of Midlothian, has been headhunted by Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to be the head of Al-Jazira, his Abu Dhabi football club.
USSF refuse to sanction second-tier leagues
December 30 – The Board of directors for the US Soccer Federation (USSF) has voted unanimously not to sanction the United Soccer League (USL) or the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2010.
Real Madrid deny Manchester City owner wants to buy them
December 29 – Real Madrid has denied that Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour (pictured) made a €1 billion (£902 million) offer to buy the Spanish club.
Silencer of Maracana immortalised on sidewalk
December 29 – Alcides Ghiggia (pictured), whose goal for Uruguay stunned spectators at the Maracana Stadium in the 1950 World Cup against Brazil, has been immortalised at the stadium’s sidewalk of fame.
Argentinean crisis solved claims Bilardo
By Duncan Mackay
December 29 – Crisis talks have been held between Diego Maradona (pictured) and Carlos Bilardo to try to prevent a damaging split between Argentina’s team management before next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Nematandani threatens job cuts at SAFA
December 29 – Staff at the South African Football Association (SAFA) have been warned that many of them could lose their jobs in the New Year following a staff audit undertaken by new President Kirsten Nematandani (pictured).
Portland Timbers release details of $31 million facelift
December 23 – Portland Timbers have unveiled their $31 million (£19 million) plans to transform PGE Park into a top-class venue for when they join Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2011.