Japan fears Asia will lose World Cup places to Oceania
August 11 – A battle is set to be launched over the allocation of World Cup spots between Asia and Oceania, Japan Football Association President Junji Ogura has predicted.
Adamu and politicians clash over state of Nigerian football
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 10 – FIFA Executive Committee Amos Adamu (pictured) today told Nigeria’s leaders that there is nothing wrong with football in the country despite the Super Eagles disappointing performance at the World Cup in South Africa.
Poland begin preparing for terror threat during Euro 2012
August 10 – Euro 2012 poses a challenge for anti-terrorist services and “at this stage of preparations we consider all kinds of threats, even those which are remote but cannot be completely ruled out,” Deputy Polish Minister of Interior Adam Rapacki said.
Exclusive: Top players are harming themselves with over-the-counter drugs
By Andrew Warshaw
August 10 – World football’s leading medical expert has issued a stark warning against footballers being treated with anti-infammatory drugs, saying normal over-the-counter medications can have startling side-effects that could potentially wreck careers.
Coe: Blame FA and Capello for England World Cup failure
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 10 – Sebastian Coe, Britain’s double Olympic 1500 metres champion and now the head of the committee organising the London 2012 Olympics, has blamed the Football Association and Fabio Capello for England’s failure to do well at the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.
South African President offers to help Russia 2018 World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 10 – South African President Jacob Zuma has offered his country’s help to aid Russia’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Exclusive: West Ham reveal plans for London 2012 Olympic Stadium
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 10 – West Ham United have revealed details of their plans for the Olympic Stadium if they take it over after the 2012 Games and have pledged to retain an athletics track in a newly reconfigured 60,000-capacity arena.
Blatter to attend Iran girls football team opening match at Youth Olympics
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 9 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter is attend the opening match of the football tournament of the inagurual Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, which will feature the Iranian girls team, whose participation had been in doubt over a row over what they could wear.
FIFA inspectors begin tour of Holland and Belgium 2018 World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
August 9 – FIFA’s 2018/2002 World Cup inspection team rolled into Holland and Belgium today with the rank outsiders convinced they will not just be making up the numbers when the all-important vote is taken on December 2.
Indian bidders pull out of race to buy Liverpool
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 9 – Sahara India Group, one of the groups interested in buying Liverpool, has pulled out of the race they announced today.
Capello: I’m sorry for World Cup fiasco
By Andrew Warshaw
August 9 – England manager Fabio Capello today apologised for the country’s dire showing at the World Cup, admitting that his players were both physically and mentally below-par.
Heathrow Airport to be sponsor of England 2018
August 9 – Heathrow Airport has signed up to become an official sponsor of England’s bid to hold the 2018 World Cup.
Van Gaal slams IFA Board as faceless old men
August 9 – Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal (pictured) has criticised FIFA President Sepp Blatter for not opening up to the use of technology in football.
David Owen: England must fear Russia and US charge for 2018 World Cup
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The 2010 World Cup is over.
FIFA’s 2018/2022 inspection team has hit the road.
With less than four months to go, the race to stage the next World Cup but one is finally steaming towards the top of the 24 FIFA Executive Committee members’ in-trays.
Kennedy concedes defeat in battle to stay as President of IFA
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 8 – A warning from the Northern Ireland Government that they will not fund a £30 million ($45 million) redevelopment of Windsor Park has forced Raymond Kennedy to accept that he has to step down as the President of the Irish Football Association (IFA).