By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 13 – Russia have tried to put a positive spin on their lack of modern football stadiums and facilities by claiming that awarding them the 2018 World Cup would help the development of the sport in the world’s biggest country, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov claimed today.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 13 – Qatar will claim in their bid book to be handed to FIFA President Sepp Blatter in Zurich tomorrow that awarding them the 2022 World Cup would help build bridges between the East and West.
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 13 – As the nine countries bidding for the 2108 and 2022 World Cups prepare to hand over their carefully prepared bid books to FIFA here tomorrow, the man who has worked on no fewer than three bids has identified a major change of strategy.
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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 12 – England’s World Cup bid is copying an idea from London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics and Parlaympics when it hands its bid book into FIFA President Sepp Blatter in Zurich on Friday (May 14).
May 11 – FIFA took the decision to inject $100 million (£67 million) into the budget of this year’s World Cup in South Africa without being asked for it, officials there claimed today.
May 11 – Wallace and Gromit, created by Bristol-based Aardman Animations, are recreating Diego Maradona’s “hand of God” goal in an advert designed to back England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
May 11 – Potential bidders from Europe, North America, China, the Middle East and Africa have expressed an interest in purchasing a 16 per cent stake in Premier League Arsenal put up for sale by one of the club’s biggest shareholders.
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By Andrew Warshaw at Wembley Stadium
May 10 – England’s 2018 World Cup campaign will undergo a major charm offensive by inviting FIFA President Sepp Blatter to the country after this summer’s tournament in South Africa.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 10 – Germany or Hungary could be invited to stage some 2012 European Championship games if Ukraine fails to meet targets for stadium redevelopment, UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) has warned.
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May 10 – Russia’s bid book to stage the 2018 World Cup will consist of a massive three volumes with a total of 1,100 pages.
May 10 – Clubs relegated from the Premier League will receive £48 million ($71 million) in parachute payments over four years after Football League chairmen voted in favour of the proposal.
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By Andrew Warshaw
May 10 – Australian World Cup officials left for FIFA headquarters today confident that they have solved a long-running dispute should the country win the right to stage the 2018 or 2022 event.
By Andrew Warshaw in London
May 9 – Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore (pictured) insists his organisation is fully behind England’s 2018 World Cup bid as the next crucial stage in the process approaches.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 9 – West Ham United have received encouragement that they will be able to take over the £537 million ($795 million) Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games from Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Athletics, who has claimed that their proposal is “very credible”.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 8 – Liverpool’s new chairman Martin Broughton insists the club will not be forced into selling Fernando Torres (pictured) or captain Steven Gerrard in order to cut the club’s debts.