Two DPRK players fail doping tests
By David Gold
July 8 – FIFA has announced that two North Korean players have been suspended after failing drugs tests during the women’s World Cup.
World Tournaments
Tournament organisers insist Copa America final will take place in Buenos Aires
By David Gold
July 8 – José Luis Meiszner, the President of the Organising Committee of the 2011 Copa America, has said that the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires is not currently in a condition to host the final of the tournament but will be ready for the July 24 showpiece.
Algeria joins race to replace Libya as 2013 African Nations Cup hosts
By David Gold
July 8 – Algeria has thrown its hat into the ring to host the 2013 African Nations Cup, which seems set to be taken away from war torn Libya.
Equatorial Guinea kicked out of women’s Olympic football qualifying for ineligible player
By David Gold
July 2 – FIFA has banned Equatorial Guinea’s women’s team from qualifying for the London 2012 women’s Olympic football tournament for fielding an ineligible player.
Riots force River Plate stadium to close ahead of Copa America
By David Gold
June 27 – With less than a week to go until the start of the Copa America, the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, which was set to host the tournament’s final on July 24, has been forced to shut as a result of violence following River Plate’s shock relegation to the Nacional B Division.
Spain, Switzerland and Belarus qualify for London 2012
By David Gold
June 26 – Spain, Switzerland and Belarus have all qualified for the football tournament at the London 2012 Olympic Games, following their performances in the European Under-21 Championships.
FIFA reportedly opens investigation into three Gold Cup games
By David Gold
June 18 – FIFA is reportedly investigating potential match fixing in three games at this summer’s Gold Cup, taking place in the United States.
Winners of Euro 2012 set for big cash windfall
By Andrew Warshaw
June 17 – Winning next year’s European Championship in Poland and Ukraine could be worth up to €23.5 million (£20.7 million/$33.6 million)) if the eventual victors end up with a 100 per cent record in six straight games.
Banned Mexico players pass new drugs tests
By Emily Goddard
June 16 – The Five Mexican players kicked out of the Gold Cup after testing positive for clenbuterol have passed new tests according to the Mexican Football Federation (FMF).
Egypt may step in to replace Libya as host 2013 African Nations Cup
By David Gold
June 16 – Egypt is considering putting itself forward to host the 2013 African Nations Cup due to concerns over Libya’s ability to host the tournament with violence continuing to affect the war-torn country.
Copa América will go ahead regardless despite being threatened by volcanic ash
By David Gold
June 15 – The Copa América will go ahead as planned according to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) despite concerns being raised by senior officials over a Chilean volcanic ash cloud which is disrupting air traffic across South America.
Euro 2012 organisers launch volunteer programme
By David Gold
June 15 – Euro 2012 tournament organisers have launched a volunteer programme ahead of next year’s tournament, with the aim of attracting 6,000 people to help out with the organisation of the competition.
UEFA confirms 130 broadcast partners worldwide for European Under-21 Championships
By David Gold
June 10 – UEFA has confirmed the agreement of broadcast rights with partners across 130 countries worldwide for this summer’s European Under-21 Championship, which kicks off in Denmark tomorrow.
Five Mexico players sent home after failing drugs test
By David Gold
June 9 – Five players from Mexico’s Gold Cup squad have been sent home after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol, which the general secretary of their football federation blamed on bad chicken or beef.
Wiping out hooliganism remains top priority for Polish authorities leading up to Euro 2012
By Andrew Warshaw in Warsaw
June 8 – On the day that marked exactly a year before Euro 2012 gets under way in Poland and Ukraine, eradicating fan violence was identified as a key concern for the tournament, the first ever major football event to be held in Eastern Europe.