Blatter critical of US progress with domestic professional game
By Andrew Warshaw
December 31 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) has criticized the progress of the professional game in the United States.
News analysis: Have foreign owners moved too soon too fast?
By Andrew Warshaw
December 31 – Getting the sack is one of football management’s occupational hazards but two sudden dismissals in the second tier of English football have brought into sharp focus the impatience of foreign ownership in domestic leagues.
Mihir Bose: Why the past will haunt the present in 2013
Those who forget the past, said the great American savant George Santayana, are condemned to repeat it. Football in 2013 runs the same risk. This is because many of the administrators who run the game seem to have forgotten the past. Or perhaps they never cared for the past despite their many references to it in public utterances.
This explains why 2013 will be for the world’s favourite game a question of dealing with issues many thought had long been settled.
Blatter ist mehr die Lösung als das Problem
Von Andi Gross
Europarat – Das Parlament befasste sich mit dem Fifa-Reformprozess – und der Rolle des Weltverbandspräsidenten.
Blatter is the solution rather than the problem
By Andi Gross
December 28 – The culture committee of the Council of Europe addressed the FIFA reform process and the role of the President of world football’s governing body at a Paris hearing this week.
Politics of war came close to pulling Brits out of 1982 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
December 28 – The British government at one point considered pulling its nations out of the 1982 World Cup because of the Falklands War with Argentina, it emerged today.
Real Mallorca president Jaume Cladera resigns over bitter shareholder row
By Mark Baber
December 28 – After months of vicious in-fighting, Real Mallorca president Jaume Cladera has chosen to resign with immediate effect.
Ajax extend academy philosophy to Russia
By Mark Baber
December 28 – Ajax will be holding six training camps for Russian boys aged 9-16 in Istra 50km west of Moscow this summer.
Ukraine opt for home-grown manager for national team
By Andrew Warshaw
December 28 – Ukraine have overlooked former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and opted for one of their own as national team successor to Oleg Blokhin who resigned in late September.
Kanu joins interim Nigerian Premier League management team
By Mark Baber
December 27 – The Nigerian Premier League (NPL) has a new 13-man interim Management Committee inaugurated today. The new body will run the affairs of the NPL, pending the election of a new board, and includes football legend Nwankwo Kanu (pictured).
Newcastle refuse Ameobi release to Nigeria for Cup of Nations
By Mark Baber
December 27 – The simmering row over the release of players by clubs to play for their country has been sparked again by Nigeria’s call for Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi being refused by the club.
FIFA’s Valcke give Brazilian 2014 organisers year-end vote of confidence
By Andrew Warshaw
December 27 – FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke (pictured) says 2012 has been “a demanding and challenging year” for football’s world governing body but is clearly relieved that Brazil is beginning to meet its 2014 World Cup targets.
Delroy Alexander: Zero tolerance of racist traditions
By Delroy Alexander
On first hearing the “Selection Manifesto 12” from a powerful Zenit St. Petersburg fans group, Landscrona, I like many was quick to dismiss it as an idiots’ intent on promoting some obscure and objectionable views.
However, the demand for the sacking and non-recruitment of black players and exclusion of gays is part of a serious selection policy proposal, intended to influence and set the agenda at a club with a less than stellar record on integration.
Platini says 2012 has been an excellent year for UEFA in challenging circumstances
By Andrew Warshaw
December 27 – UEFA president Michel Platini (pictured) admits 2012 has thrown up considerable challenges for his organisation but insists he will continue to meet them head on to make sure he sets the correct standards for the game.
Luzhniki Stadium will not be demolished, promises Moscow Mayor
By Duncan Mackay
December 26 – Controversial plans to demolish Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium and rebuild it in time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup have been scrapped in favour of renovating it, the city’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has revealed.