Real Madrid deny Manchester City owner wants to buy them
December 29 – Real Madrid has denied that Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour (pictured) made a €1 billion (£902 million) offer to buy the Spanish club.
Indonesia World Cup bid may be scrapped
By Duncan Mackay
December 29 – Indonesia may be forced to withdraw its bid to host the 2022 World Cup unless it can persuade the Government to back it, the chairman of the country’s Football Association has admitted.
Silencer of Maracana immortalised on sidewalk
December 29 – Alcides Ghiggia (pictured), whose goal for Uruguay stunned spectators at the Maracana Stadium in the 1950 World Cup against Brazil, has been immortalised at the stadium’s sidewalk of fame.
Tickets on sale for African Nations Cup a week late
December 29 – Ticket sales for the 2010 African Nations Cup are running late due to logistical problems, an official said today, less than two weeks before the tournament starts in Angola.
Argentinean crisis solved claims Bilardo
By Duncan Mackay
December 29 – Crisis talks have been held between Diego Maradona (pictured) and Carlos Bilardo to try to prevent a damaging split between Argentina’s team management before next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Angola officially opens stadiums for African Nations Cup
December 29 – Two of the four stadiums hosting the 2010 African Cup of Nations, due to open in less than two weeks, have been officially opened.
Compromise can be reached in MLS row claims negotiator
December 29 – A solution to the employment row threatening to overshadow next season’s Major League Soccer (MLS) season can be reached, Jimmy Conrad (pictured), a leading player involved in negotiations has claimed.
Nematandani threatens job cuts at SAFA
December 29 – Staff at the South African Football Association (SAFA) have been warned that many of them could lose their jobs in the New Year following a staff audit undertaken by new President Kirsten Nematandani (pictured).
First match in new Green Point Stadium next month
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December 28 – Ajax Cape Town will play Santos next month in a friendly to mark the official opening of Cape Town’s new Green Point Stadium, where England are due to play Algeria in next year’s World Cup.
Mihir Bose: Mancini arrival at City signifies cultural change
Roberto Mancini’s arrival at Manchester City and Mark Hughes’ departure have produced very predictable responses of outrage that Mancini should have been headhunted in this way.
World Cup be ushered in at Joburg Carnival
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December 28 – The annual Joburg Carnival, which will see in the New Year, will be a celebration of the World Cup heading for South Africa in 2010.
Australia World Cup will be better than the Sydney Olympics claims Kewell
By Duncan Mackay
December 28 – Former Liverpool and Leeds United striker Harry Kewell (pictured) has claimed that a World Cup in Australia would be even more successful than when the country hosted the Sydney Olympics.
Nigerian coach complains about timing of African Nations
By Duncan Mackay
December 27 – Nigeria’s coach Shuaibu Amodu (pictured) has called for the African Cup of Nations to be moved in the football calendar so that teams have more time to prepare.
John Goodbody: FIFA is heading for trouble over its lax anti-doping programme
Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1789 that nothing can be certain in this world except death and taxes. One could now propose another certainty. One day, a footballer will be found positive for a performance-enhancing drug in an important match and FIFA will at last have to confront the inadequacy of its disciplinary programme for doping.
Australian Republicans planning protest over Prince William support for England World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
December 26 – Australian Republicans plan to use Prince William’s visit to the country next month to protest about his support for England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup ahead of their own bid.