By Andrew Warshaw
January 4 – The Gulf Cup kicks off this Saturday with the latest edition having considerable significance both for those taking part and a region that is increasingly catching the attention of international observers from football politics, commerce, and fans.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 4 – The head of Major League Soccer has responded to criticism of the league from FIFA president Sepp Blatter by saying the best way of winning Blatter over is to for him to actually attend a game and see the progress that has been made.
January 3 – Research using the social media tracker tool Flightdeck, puts Chelsea ahead of ‘big club’ rivals Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid in India in the race to dominate the social space.
By Mark Baber
January 3 – Ali Kafashian, head of the Iranian Football Federation (IFF) has confirmed Iran’s bid to hold the 2019 Asian Cup whilst hitting out at critics he claims are undermining the work of the federation in developing football in Iran.
By Mark Baber
Janaury 3 – Pay-TV broadcaster SuperSport has signed a 1 year deal with the South African Football Association (SAFA) to broadcast all South Africa’s home and away friendly matches during 2013.
January 3 – Over three-quarters of professional footballers questioned in England and Scotland believe depression is a genuine problem in the sport, according to a survey published by one of Britain’s leading football magazines.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 3 – FIFA is requesting Israel to return VIP status to Palestinian Football Federation President Jibril Rajoub, allowing him to enter the country without security checks.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 3 – German fans have called a halt to their groundbreaking silent protest against new safety and security measures adopted last month which, they claim, ruins the atmosphere at games.
By Mark Baber
January 2 – The Ghana FA is facing a possible cash crisis in the days before the start of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
By Mark Baber
January 2 – Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) vice president Ndumiso Gumede has said that Zimbabwe will no longer take part in any games unless all costs are sure to be covered.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – Crisis Spanish club Malaga have announced their intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in protest at UEFA’s move to ban them from future European competition for at least a season for allegedly flouting financial regulations.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – UEFA president Michel Platini has re-iterated his call for the 2022 Qatar World Cup to be played in winter –making his latest stance at a sports conference in nearby Dubai.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – The eagerly awaited start of the Egyptian league this season, due to have taken place at the third time of asking on December 30, has been postponed yet again – this time until February 1 to allow for the necessary restructuring to be put in place.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – Just a couple of weeks after goal-line technology was used in official competition for the first time – at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan – Germany’s top refereeing administrator has questioned its accuracy.
By Mark Baber
December 31 – The Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko (pictured) has commented on plans to set up a new CIS League involving teams from Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet states.