El Salvador suspended by FIFA
May 12 – FIFA has suspended El Salvador from all international football, citing Government interference in issues of the national side as the reason for their decision.
South America
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.
Passarella becomes new River Plate President after controversial election
December 7 – Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning captain Daniel Passarella (pictured) was today elected president of River Plate after winning an election that was overshadowed by allegations of fraud and corruption.
Joint Uruguay and Argentina 2030 World Cup bid given go-ahead
November 25 – CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, has backed a plan by Argentina and Uruguay to launch a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup to commemorate the centenary of the first-ever tournament that was also held in Uruguay.
Bilardo confirms he wants to be AFA President
November 9 – Carlos Bilardo (pictured) is planning to launch a challenge to become President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) when Julio Grondona steps down, he announced today
FIFA to discuss solution to London 2012 football tournament age row
September 29 – FIFA officials will meet in Rio de Janeiro today to discuss possible changes on the age limit for players at the men’s Olympic football tournament at London 2012, the final of which is due to be held at Wembley.
FIFA confirm they will conduct age testing at under-17 World Cup
August 31 - Bone tests will be performed on soccer players at the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria to catch teams with over-age players, FIFA confirmed today, as first reported on insidethegames.
Blatter launches review into 2012 Olympic football tournament
AUGUST 4 – FIFA PRESIDENT Sepp Blatter (pictured) today announced he planned to launch a review into the Olympic 2012 football tournament as he again urged Britain to field a team of Englishman in the event to avoid the fear of the Home Countries losing their independence.
Rogge wants no change to Olympic football for London 2012
June 13 – The Olympic football tournament at London 2012 seems set to retain its current format, leaving the door open for players like Wayne Rooney (pictured) to represent Britain.
Blatter wants under-21 teams in Olympic football tournament
FEBRUARY 1 – FIFA PRESIDENT Sepp Blatter (pictured) wants to lower the age limit for the Olympic soccer tournament and ban the addition of three over-23 players, he said today.
FIFA deal ensures football’s participation in 2012
FIFA today agreed to adopt the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) revised drug testing code, thus avoiding another potential row over football’s future in the Olympics.
Football warned it faces axe from 2012 Olympics
MAY 11 – FOOTBALL has been warned again that it faces being dropped from the 2012 London Olympics unless it agrees to implement a worldwide code on doping that has been ratified by nearly every other major sport and Government.