Poland’s Euro 2012 showpiece stadium finally opened
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Poland’s showpiece venue for this summer’s European Championship finals was opened on Sunday – eight months late.
Gary Speed sent texts to wife about “taking his life”
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Former Welsh manager Gary Speed texted his wife, Louise Speed (pictured), four days before his tragic death and “talked in terms of taking his life”, an inquest was told today.
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Rybka hit with two year ban after positive doping test
By David Gold
January 30 – Ukrainian international goalkeeper Oleksandr Rybka (pictured) has been banned by UEFA for two years after testing positive for a banned substance last year.
Gazprom and Rosneft step in to save Tom Tomsk
By David Gold
January 30 – Tom Tomsk are set to be saved after Gazprom and Rosneft stepped in to help the ailing Russian Premier League side, following pressure from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Zambia coach calls for crackdown on naturalised player rules
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Zambia’s coach at the African Cup of Nations, Hervé Renard (pictured), has called on FIFA to tighten the regulations on naturalised players.
There will be ample affordable accommodation for Euro 2012 fans, insists tournament director
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – The man leading the Ukrainian side of Euro 2012, Markiyan Lubkivskyi, insists there will be enough hotel rooms to accommodate the thousands of fans expected to pour into the country for the world’s third largest sports event this summer.
Exclusive: I’m not impressed by the politics, says FIFA’s youngest executive member Prince Ali
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Just over a year after becoming the youngest member of FIFA’s inner sanctum, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (pictured) of Jordan believes there is still too much politics and a lack of openness within world football’s governing body and that those who wish to speak out should not be silenced.
US women’s football squad claim victory at London 2012 Olympic playoffs
By David Gold
January 29 – The United States crushed Canada 4-0 to cap a dominant showing at BC Place in Vancouver, where they have strolled through the CONCACAF qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympic Games women’s football tournament.
Asian Football Confederation supports campaign to lift hijab ban on female football players
By Andrew Warshaw
January 29 – The acting head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), China’s Zhang Jilong (pictured), has lent his support to the campaign for the wearing of the Islamic headscarf hijab by female footballers during matches.
United States and Canada women’s football teams book places at London 2012
By David Gold
January 28 – The United States and Canada will both be at the London 2012 Olympic Games after victories over Costa Rica and Mexico respectively in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF women’s football qualifiers at BC Place in Vancouver.
I did not vote for Qatar because of Sarkozy, insists Platini
By Andrew Warshaw
January 28 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured right) has justified why he voted for Qatar to stage the 2022 World Cup, denying he was following instructions from French President Nicolas Sarkozy (left).
MATCH appoints Mexican hospitality agents for 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup
By David Gold
January 28 – MATCH Hospitality has appointed Grupo Mundomex and Nevada Tours as co-exclusive sales agents in Mexico for the official FIFA hospitality programmes during the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup, being held in Brazil.
Neuchâtel Xamax lose Swiss league expulsion appeal
By Andrew Warshaw
January 27 – Two-time Swiss champions Neuchâtel Xamax, the club where FIFA President Sepp Blatter used to be a director, have lost their appeal against being thrown out of the Swiss league for financial irregularities.
Sports Minister says French Government shouldn’t fund Euro 2016 stadia
By David Gold
January 27 – French Sports Minister David Douillet (pictured) has suggested that the French Government should not have to spend money on stadia to be used during the European Championships in 2016 and that any renovation or construction costs should be met with Ligue 1 television revenues.
Infrastructure will not be an issue at Euro 2012, insists UEFA’s Infantino
By Andrew Warshaw
January 27 – UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino (pictured) insists Poland and Ukraine will be able to cope with the massive transport and infrastructural issues at the 2012 European Championships even though preparations were too slow at first.