Platini backs Germany for Euro 2012 victory
By Andrew Warshaw
March 6 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) is backing Germany to clinch this summer’s European Championship title – and insists Brazil will be ready for 2014 World Cup.
World Tournaments
Let the players play, says FIFA’s Valcke as he backs unified Team GB at London 2012
By David Gold
March 5 – FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke (pictured) has said that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s Football Associations should embrace being a part of Team GB at the Olympic Games.
Tickets on sale for London 2012 Olympic football test event
By Tom Degun
March 5 – Tickets have gone on sale for the London 2012 Olympic football test event on April 23 at the City of Coventry Stadium (pictured) where a vital match will take place offering the final qualifying place in the men’s Olympic football tournament.
Ronaldinho still aiming for football gold at London 2012
By David Gold
March 2 – Flamengo star Ronaldinho (pictured) has reiterated his desire to play for Brazil at the London 2012 Olympic Games and add to the bronze medal he won in Beijing in 2008.
Troubled Syria and Yemen to play Asian Cup “home” games abroad
By David Gold
February 29 – Due to the deteriorating security situation in both Syria and Yemen, the country’s clubs have been told by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to play their “home” AFC Cup games abroad.
French women’s team should secure a London 2012 medal says confident Bini
By David Gold
February 25 – French women’s football coach Bruno Bini has set his team the target of picking up a medal at this summer’s Olympic Games in London.
ZDF and ARD secure German EURO 2016 media rights
By David Gold
February 23 – UEFA has announced that ARD and ZDF have been awarded Germany’s exclusive broadcast rights to the European Championships 2016, held in France.
South Korea qualify for London 2012
By David Gold
February 23 – South Korea will be at London 2012 after a comfortable 3-0 win over Oman in their penultimate Olympic men’s football qualifier, whilst Japan are as good as qualified.
Polish national stadium given approval after safety doubts
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – Poland’s new National Stadium, due to stage the opening match of the 2012 European Championships, has finally been cleared as safe to play its showpiece inaugural fixture against Portugal on February 29.
Fresh doubts over Warsaw Euro 2012 Stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – Poland’s new $641 million (£409 million/€493 million) National Stadium, the jewel in the country’s Euro 2012 preparations, may not be ready to stage its showpiece inaugural fixture, a friendly against Portugal on February 29.
CAF refuse to bring African Nations Cup in line with Europe
By Andrew Warshaw
February 13 – African nations have steadfastly refused to bow to European pressure to stage their showpiece tournament, the African Cup of Nations, every four years instead of two.
Euro 2012 border crossings not likely to be ready on time, admits Poland’s Transport Minister
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Poland’s preparations for the 2012 European Championships have been dealt a potentially damaging setback with the admission that its transport links bordering co-hosts Ukraine may not be ready on time.
Kiev is as ready for Euro 2012 as London is for the Olympics claims top official
By David Gold
February 9 – Oleksandr Popov, the head of Kiev’s city State Administration, has said that they are as ready for the European Championships, which Ukraine co-host this summer with Poland, as London is for the Olympic Games.
Legal row forces Oceania London 2012 qualifiers to be moved from Fiji to New Zealand
By David Gold
February 8 -Oceania’s football qualifying tournament for the London 2012 Olympic Games will be held at the Owen Delany Park in Taupo, New Zealand, from March 16 until 25, after they moved from Fiji following a legal row involving a leading official.
No more critical issues in Ukraine’s Euro 2012 preparation, promises Bubka
By Tom Degun at the Park Lane Hilton in London
February 7 – Sergey Bubka (pictured), one of the one of the most influential figures in world sport, has calmed fears that preparations for the 2012 European Championships in Ukraine and Poland are behind schedule as he assured that huge progress has been made over the last two years to ensure everything is ready on time.