Qatar builds on its building reputation
February 25 – Qatar is further opening its construction doors to the world and hosting the World Stadium Congress 2013 in Doha, 2-5 June.
CONCACAF pledge May Congress support for FIFA’s reform package
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 25 – FIFA’s much trumpeted reform proposals, due to be approved at its Congress in May, have received a timely boost after being backed by CONCACAF which represents football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Fan voices increase over freedom of movement row
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – A landmark fan protest over what have been described as draconian ticket and travel restrictions is being stepped up amid a legal storm and a promise by police chiefs to discuss the issue further.
CONCACAF wait for FIFA approval for Copa Centenario
By Mark Baber
February 22 – The Copa Centenario, the proposed CONCACAF/CONMEBOL celebration tournament for the 100th birthday of South America’s confederation, is awaiting FIFA’s approval, but already plans are being put in place.
Bavarians bid to host Euro 2020
February 22 – Munich has become the first city to apply to the German Football Federation (DFB) to be Germany’s host city for the 2020 European Championship.
Barça propose Tel Aviv peace match
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – Barcelona are trying to organise a symbolic peace match against a joint Israeli-Palestinian team to try and heal the wounds between two sides and promote the Middle East peace process.
Germans don’t like playing The Drog
February 22 – German club Schalke are reported to have officially appealed against Didier Drogba’s inclusion in the Galatasaray team when the clubs drew 1-1 in the Champions League this week.
Pompey soap opera nearing end of run
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – The future of Portsmouth football club, which has been in administration for a year with debts of about £60m, looks set to be finally settled – but maybe not for another two months.
Ukrainian FA goes cold on CIS league proposal
February 22 – The prospects for the return of a CIS regional league look more remote after the Ukranian FA distanced itself from the Russian club proposal.
AFC sets up anti-match-fixing task force as Italian police swoop on Dan Tan gang member
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – A two-day conference on match-fixing at which the dangers facing Asian football were starkly underlined have resulted in the Asian Football Confederation setting up a task force to try and clamp down on arguably the most serious crisis facing the game.
David Owen: On Barclays and the Premier League
The timing is quite striking.
On July 3, Bob Diamond resigned as chief executive of Barclays, in the midst of a political firestorm touched off by a £290 million fine meted out to the bank by UK and US authorities.
On July 12, it extended until May 2016 its sponsorship of the English Premier League.
By the end of August (with Chelsea three points clear at the top of the table),
Exclusive: Al Medlej to join AFC race
By Andrew Warshaw
February 21 – The battle to succeed Mohamed bin Hammam as head of Asian football has taken a surprising twist with Saudi Arabia’s Hafez Al Medlej (pictured left) almost certainly putting his name forward along with the anticipated contenders.
Brazilian customs have a lot of balls
February 21 – Brazilian customs announced Wednesday that they had seized 200,000 counterfeit Chinese balls which were being smuggled into the country.
Syrian footballer killed by mortar attack in Damascus
By Mark Baber
February 21 – Youssef Suleiman, a player from the Homs-based al-Wathbah club, was killed by a mortar attack on the Tishreen Sports Complex in Damascus on Wednesday.