By David Gold
June 5 – Argentine newspaper La Nacion called for FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona (pictured) to resign for his admission that he knew there were no drug tests before a 1994 World Cup qualifying game against Australia.
By David Gold
June 3 – Diego Maradona claims his lawyers will be taking legal action against Julio Grondona, the head of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and FIFA vice-president, for “slander, defamation and discrimination” as the row between the pair escalates.
By David Gold
April 20 – Former South American champions Once Caldas became the second Colombian team in a week to face a 30-day suspension over unpaid player wages.
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.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 5 – The Chilean official expected to have a major say in the destination of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups has been ousted as head of his national federation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.