Record ticket applications for Euro 2012
By David Gold
April 9 – UEFA has announced that it has received in excess of 12 million ticket applications for the 2012 European Championships, to be held in Ukraine and Poland.
World Tournaments
Robertson wants non-English stars to play in Team GB
By Tom Degun at SportAccord in London
April 6 – Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson has stated that he wants to see non-English footballers, such as Gareth Bale (pictured) and Aaron Ramsey of Wales, permitted to represent Great Britain at the London 2012 Games so as to not be denied the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in a home Olympics.
Japan “withdraw from Copa America”
By David Gold
April 4 – Reports claim that Japan has officially withdrawn from the Copa America this summer, with Costa Rica or the United States favourites to take their place in July’s tournament.
British footballers should defy politicians and play at London 2012 says Friedel
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
March 30 – American goalkeeper Brad Friedel today entered the debate over a unified British football team for next year’s London Olympics by saying it would be a “travesty” if players were denied the chance to compete.
UEFA admit to concerns over hooliganism and infrastructure for Euro 2012 finals
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
March 30 – European football’s governing body admitted today that recent outbreaks of hooliganism involving Polish fans did not augur well for the 2012 European Championship finals, and that some of the infrastructure in Ukraine may not be ready on time.
Iran and Iraq to meet in Olympic qualifier at London 2012
By David Gold
March 30 – Iraq and Iran will go head to head in the second round of the qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympic men’s football tournament after the draw was made today.
Bulgaria and Romania announce plan for joint Euro 2020 bid
By David Gold
March 24 – Bulgaria and Romania have confirmed their intention to apply to jointly host the 2020 European Championships.
Exclusive: FIFA vice-president determined to find solution to Team GB London 2012 row
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
March 23 – Britain’s new FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce says there is still time to persuade the four national Home Associations to provide players for a unified team at the 2012 London Olympics.
TV rights for international matches taken over by UEFA
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
March 22 – Broadcasting rights for all competitive games involving European countries are being taken over by UEFA – starting with the qualifiers for Euro 2016 in France.
It was an error to give Ukraine Euro 2012 but we are stuck with them now admit UEFA
By Duncan Mackay in Paris
March 21 – Ukraine should not have been chosen to host next year’s European Championships, UEFA President Michel Platini has admitted but conceded that they have to see it through now.
Japan’s participation in Copa America in doubt after earthquake
By David Gold
March 15 – Japan has been forced to postpone all J.League games during March, placing in doubt the country’s participation in the Copa America in July.
Clubs to be consulted over player selection for GB Olympics football team
By David Gold
March 14 – The Football Association have confirmed that players will only be selected for the London 2012 Olympics in addition to next year’s European Championships, to be held in Ukraine and Poland, with the explicit permission of their clubs.
Coe sympathetic to Scottish reluctance to participate in 2012 GB team
March 9 – Sebastian Coe (pictured) has claimed he understands Scotland’s lack of enthusiasm for joining a Great British football team to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
New Zealand want to play Britain’s Olympic team at Wembley as earthquake fundraiser
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 7 – Britain’s football team could begin its preparations for next year’s Olympics in London with a match against New Zealand at Wembley Stadium in a special fundraising event for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake if a proposal from the President of the Oceania Football Confederation is accepted.
“Wales should be in the Olympics in own right” says football chief
By Andrew Warshaw at Celtic Manor
March 5 – The row over an all-British team for the 2012 Olympic football tournament escalated today when the Welsh insisted they would not allow the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey (pictured) to take part.