By Andrew Warshaw
February 12 – As FIFA prepares to formally approve plans to switch the 2022 Qatar World Cup to winter to avoid the searing June-July Gulf heat, the president of the International Ski Federation (FIS) has denounced football’s world governing body for selfishness over the effect such a decision would have on the winter sports schedule.
By Mark Baber
Februaty 12 – The £260 million redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu has been brought to a halt by the High Court of Madrid. The plans had included new hotel facilities, a shopping centre and a redesign of the exterior which had met a mixed response when architects images were revealed at the end of January.
February 12 – While English top-flight football basks in the affluence of its new record-breaking television deal, in Spain, another of the so-called ‘big five’ European leagues, the situation could not be more different with clubs desperate to adopt a similar collective bargaining deal – and prepared to stop playing to make it happen.
February 12 – English Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore (pictured) has come under attack from politicians for declaring that he had no problem with clubs paying administrative staff low wages in contrast with the huge salaries paid to players.
By David Owen
February 12 – Women footballers are preparing to take centre-stage at the World Cup in Canada this Summer, but a new report shows they remain on the margins of the sport’s power game.
By Paul Nicholson
February 12 – Ray Whelan, the British director accused of selling VIP World Cup tickets at inflated prices in Brazil, has had all charges against him dropped by the Brazilian justice authorities. While the prosecutor has 15 days to appeal against the decision, it is not expected that there will be a challenge.
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
February 11 – 1. FC Köln and Germany’s postal operator Deutsche Post have signed a new sponsorship contract that will run through to 2017, with plans to collaborate on jointly introducing a suite of innovative new communications technology products.
February 11 – Mark Pieth (pictured), the Swiss expert hired by FIFA president Sepp Blatter to submit recommendations for reform to improve the organisation’s battered image, has suggested that much-publicised leaks about his work may be linked to the current presidential election campaign.
The Africa Cup of Nations is not some fly-by-night, irrelevant competition. It is the continent’s equivalent of the European Championship finals, the Copa America, the Gold Cup or the Asian Cup.
By Mark Baber
February 11 – The president of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara has awarded over €3 million ($3.4 million) in bonuses to his country’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winners according to the Ivorian Sports Ministry.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 11 – Women’s football looks set to make a significant breakthrough with the introduction of a women’s Club World Cup to mirror the annual men’s event that comprises the regional club champions from each of FIFA’s six confederations plus the host country’s league winner.
By Matt Scott
February 11 – As the champagne corks were being swept from the floors of Premier League club boardrooms this morning, Sky shareholders were scrambling for the exit.
February 11 – Arsenal and AC Milan qualified for the semi-finals of the Al Kass International Cup in Doha, Qatar. Arsenal, who survived everything their Argentine opponents could throw at them – including punches and kicks at the final whistle – will meet either Paris St Germain or holders Aspire International in the next round on Friday. AC Milan will meet either Real Madrid or Sao Paulo.
By Samindra Kunti
February 10 – Steven Martens has resigned as CEO of the Belgian FA after a reign of four years. His position had become untenable after allegations of financial mismanagement.
By David Owen
February 10 – Premier League club revenues are set to soar for the rest of the decade after the top tier of English football on Tuesday unveiled a colossal new £5 billion-plus domestic rights deal. The figure represents an increase of some 70% over the league’s current domestic deal until the end of next season. This in turn was up 70% on the 2010-13 total, reflecting the arrival of telephone company BT as a major buyer of popular sports content.