Clydesdale Bank pull the plug on SPL sponsorship
By David Gold
November 18 – Clydesdale Bank has elected to end its sponsorship of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) when its current deal expires at the end of the 2012-2013 season.
Teams battle it out for the chance to face Barcelona in the FIFA World Club Cup final
By David Gold
November 18 – Copa Libertadores winners Santos may have to overcome Mexican outfit Monterrey in December’s FIFA World Club Cup semi-final if they are to set up a potentially mouth watering final with European champions Barcelona, following the draw in Nagoya.
Second arrest in London 2012 Olympic Stadium row
By Duncan Mackay
November 18 – A second man has been arrested in connection with claims Tottenham Hotspur spied on officials from the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) during their campaign to be awarded the Olympic Stadium after London 2012.
Blatter apologises for racism gaffe but refuses to resign
By Andrew Warshaw
November 18 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter, as expected, apologised today for his widely-reported comments regarding racism in football following a wave of protest including demands for him to resign.
Journalist arrested after claiming corruption at Nigerian Football Federation
By David Gold
November 18 – A Nigerian journalist has been arrested and is now facing a libel case after alleging corruption within the country’s Football Federation.
Telemundo and Universal Sports to broadcast CONCACAF London 2012 Olympic qualifiers
By David Gold
November 18 – CONCACAF has signed agreements with Telemundo and Universal Sports Network to show both the continent’s women’s and men’s 2012 Olympic football qualifying tournaments.
Qatar must treat workers for 2022 World Cup well, warn FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
November 17 – Qatar must not exploit workers rights as it sets about a major construction programme for the 2022 World Cup, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) charged today.
Thomson Sport named as Euro 2012 Licensed Tour Operator
By David Gold
November 17 – Thomson Sport will be the Euro 2012 Licensed Tour Operator, giving them the rights to the tour operating programme across the 14 countries that successfully went through the qualification process for the tournament.
Mihir Bose: It’s time European sports administrators studied US model to combat match fixing
Britain and Europe have never been easy bedfellows and the turmoil of the eurozone may lead to a further, even permanent, alienation. Yet, ironically, in sport Britain is not on the periphery of Europe, but leading the way.
Nothing illustrates this better than the vote on Tuesday (November 15) in the European Parliament about match fixing. This, as UEFA President Michel Platini keeps repeating, is, “the biggest threat facing the future of sport in Europe”.
England football officials urge under fire Blatter to resign
By Andrew Warshaw
November 17 – British Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson led a string of scathing responses today to Sepp Blatter’s widely publicised racism comments, while the head of England’s players union called on the FIFA President to resign.
FIFPro hit out at Russian football authorities over Gogniyev ban
By David Gold
November 17 – FIFPro has attacked the Russian Football Union (RFU) for their decision to ban FC Krasnodar striker Spartak Gogniyev (pictured) after he was sent-off during a game against Terek Grozny earlier this month, before being assaulted as he left the pitch.
Valcke confident of law approval for 2014 World Cup in Brazil
By David Gold
November 17 – On his return from a trip to Brazil to see how preparations are going for the 2014 World Cup, the FIFA general secretary, Jerome Valcke, has said that he is “finally confident” that Brazil will pass a World Cup law that has been the subject of political wrangling.
Tottenham no longer interested in moving into Olympic Stadium they admit
By Duncan Mackay
November 16 – Tottenham Hotspur today officially gave up their controversial pursuit of moving into the Olympic Stadium even though the tender process has been reopened, leaving the way clear for rivals West Ham United to negotiate a new deal to take it over after London 2012.
Blatter forced to issue clarification after Terry racism remarks
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has waded into the racism row involving England captain John Terry by saying that any individual instances of abuse are in the heat of the moment and should be resolved by a handshake between those involved.
Beleaguered Blatter highlights conflict with 2014 World Cup figureheads
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – Sepp Blatter, already under fire over his comments about racism in football, has also taken Brazil to task over personality clashes between the Government and 2014 World Cup organisers.