Portsmouth future secure despite debt raising by £17 million
By Andrew Warshaw in Portsmouth
May 6 – The future of debt-ridden English club Portsmouth looks likely to be secure despite the club being hit with a new claim for unpaid tax.
Holland and Belgium World Cup bid book completes journey in Antwerp
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May 6 – Holland and Belgium’s bid book for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup that will be presented to FIFA in Zurich next week has today been handed over to the Prime Ministers of the two country’s at a special ceremony in Antwerp.
Cisco to back Australia World Cup bid
May 6 – Cisco has signed-up as the official information technology network hardware partner for Australia’s bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, it has been announced.
Warner demands criminal action over claims Government is bankrolling Jennings
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 5 - Jack Warner, the FIFA vice-president, has written to the head of Trinidad and Tobago’s police demanding they investigate allegations the Government is bankrolling British investigative journalist Andrew Jennings to discredit him ahead of the country’s elections later this month.
Australia does not know where it would hold World Cup final
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 5 – Australia still does not know where it will hold the World Cup final if they are awarded the tournament in 2018 or 2022, they admitted today as the uncertainty over whether the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be included as part of its bid continued.
Qatar World Cup bid boosted by massive tourist investment
May 5 – Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup has been boosted after $20 billion (£13 billion) was set aside for tourism investment.
Football Association lose another multi-million pound sponsor
May 5 – English football’s financial problems are beginning to grow after it emerged that National Express will not be renewing its multi-million pound sponsorship with the Football Association.
South African World Cup ticket rush cools
May 5 – More than half of the 500,000 World Cup tickets offered for cash sales are still available, South African officials have admitted with just over a month until the start of the tournament.
Exclusive: South Korean World Cup bid leader to support North Korea in South Africa
By David Owen
May 5 – One of the leaders of South Korea’s 2022 World Cup bid is planning to attend one of North Korea’s forthcoming World Cup matches, in a fresh indication of how the bid could help foster better relations between the two countries.
Blatter praises Russia’s “remarkable” World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
May 4 - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has wracked up the tension ahead of next week’s 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid book handover by labelling Russia’s campaign as “remarkable”.
Platini promises Euro 2012 will take place in Ukraine
May 4 – Michel Platini (pictured), the President of UEFA, promised today that Ukraine will remain as co-host of Euro 2012 but warned that if any of the four cities is not fully ready then they would be dropped from the schedule.
West Ham face challenge from AEG for Olympic Stadium
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May 4 – Premier League West Ham United face opposition to take over the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games from AEG, the sports and entertainment company who already own the O2 Arena.
Mihir Bose: Sepp Blatter has neutralised Bin Hammam and sees no threat from Platini
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Sepp Blatter has always been insistent that football should control itself and not be run by politicians.
Yet the great irony is that he is the ultimate football politician, the man who could teach many a professional politician a trick or two.
Andrew Warshaw: Hooliganism reminder that England 2018 can take nothing for granted
England’s 2018 World Cup campaign team have been at great pains to highlight the progress that has been made since the dark days of football hooliganism that became known around the world as “the English disease”.
Exclusive: It would need a miracle for me to be separated from Warner says Blatter
By David Owen
May 4 – FIFA President Joseph Blatter has sent a message of support to Jack Warner, in the wake of allegations he is waging a covert campaign to evict the CONCACAF President from world football’s governing body.