February 27 – A further 67.4 billion rubles ($2.2 billion) has been earmarked by the Russians in the new sports budget to spend on the infrastructure and preparations for hosting the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and the FIFA World Cup 2018.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 27 – Theo Zwanziger, the influential German administrator overseeing FIFA’s reform process, has hinted there is still considerable work to be done to bring about a consensus over the way forward.
By Mark Baber
February 27 – The authorities in Uzbekistan have adopted new rules for fans behaviour in football matches which include an end to shouting and chants.
By Mark Baber
February 27 – In the wake of the Tanzanian government’s declaration that the 2012 Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) constitution was adopted in contravention of Tanzanian law, the TFF President, Leodegar Tenga (pictured), has called for an emergency Executive Committee meeting on Saturday in Dar es Salaam to discuss the way forward.
February 27 – Lazio are awaiting their fate after being charged by UEFA yet again over racist behaviour by their fans – this time following the recent Europa League win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.
February 27 – Serie A club AS Roma have announced a “preliminary agreement” with an Italian-based sheikh for a reported investment of between €50m and €100m– but doubts have been raised about his ability to raise the necessary funds.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 27 – The global match-fixing scourge has now spread to Lebanon with the national federation banning two international players for life and handing down suspensions ranging from one to three seasons to 22 others.
February 26 – The forces against the formation of a unified CIS league are growing in strength as Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko weighs in again with his belief that a Russian-Ukrainian championship is economically unprofitable and pointless.
By Mark Baber
February 26 – Two years after the start of the Libyan revolution, football faces a major struggle to return to normality in Libya.
February 26 – FIFA has issued another stern signal that match-fixing will be harshly punished by extending worldwide the February 18 bans on 58 players and officials handed out by the Chinese Football Association.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 26 – The race to replace Mohamed bin Hammam to run the game in Asia and become one of the most powerful figures in world football has taken a remarkable new twist with the announcement that Worawi Makudi of Thailand has thrown his hat into the ring.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – One of the first companies to offer a system for goal line technology is back in the fray after being granted a license by FIFA – and has joined the race to be selected for next year’s World Cup.
By Paul Nicholson
February 26 – US broadcaster ESPN’s long awaited arrival into the UK television market was launched on the back of Premier League football rights. Its exit from the market, confirmed yesterday, comes following the loss of those same Premier League rights – such is the make-or-break power of the English league in the pay TV market.
“Champions are made from something they have deep inside them, a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. BUT THE WILL MUST BE STRONGER THAN THE SKILL” – Muhammad Ali.
African football, with its wealth and depth of talent, undoubtedly has the skill to conquer the game’s steep summit – the World Cup –
