$900 million worth of new football stadia in Istanbul Olympic bid
By David Owen
January 14 – Three new regional Turkish stadia will host Olympic football matches if Istanbul succeeds in its bid to stage the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Samara World Cup 2018 stadium designers appointed
By Mark Baber
January 14 – The central Russian city of Samara awarded the design contract for its new 2018 World Cup stadium to the State Unitary Enterprise of the Samara Region Institute (‘TerrNIIgrazhdanproekt’).
Sheikh lays on free flights to Bahrain for Gulf Cup semi for UAE fans
By Mark Baber
January 14 – The president of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has given direct orders for Etihad Airways to operate flights to carry football fans to Bahrain, to support the UAE national football team in tomorrow’s semi-final of the 21st Gulf Cup of Nations against Kuwait.
English clubs will meet UEFA financial regs, says Scudamore
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 14 – Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore is confident the division’s 20 clubs will all be able to meet UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules – and has also addressed the debate over inflated ticket prices.
Prince Ali calls on football worldwide for support for Syrian refugees
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – FIFA Vice President Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein’s efforts to use football as a tool for change in Asia has been extended to the Syrian refugee crisis in his native Jordan.
Doha swoops to host battle of the regional giants
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 14 – In a move that seems likely raise eyebrows among its critics, Qatar appears to have used its financial muscle to stage a friendly between world and European champions Spain and South American champions Uruguay next month.
Deportivo are latest Spanish club to file for bankruptcy protection
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 14 – Deportivo La Coruna, who won the league title only 13 years ago, have become the latest Spanish top-flight club to be plunged into financial crisis.
Hicks and Gillett settle with Liverpool out of court
January 13 – Liverpool FC has settled out of court its dispute with former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett (pictured) after two years of bitter recriminations following the sale of the club in 2010.
Kansas to host MLS All-Star game at Livestrong Sporting Park
By Mark Baber
Janaury 11 – Major League Soccer will host the 2013 MLS All-Star Game on July 31 at Kansas City’s Livestrong Sporting Park.
Guyanans end in-fighting after Webb and FIFA intervene
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 11 – A bitter 18-month dispute that polarised the game in the Caribbean state of Guyana has been resolved after the intervention of FIFA and Concacaf.
Iraqis promise Basra will be ready for Gulf Cup 2015
By Mark Baber
January 11 – Iraq’s Essam al-Diwan, undersecretary for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, giving a presentation in Manama, said Iraq will be ready to host the Gulf Cup in the southern city of Basra in 2015.
Racism scandal now hits Germany with Asamoah book
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 11 – Yet another racism controversy has hit the headlines – this time in Germany where Ghanaian-born former international Gerald Asamoah has criticised his ex-teammates, including skipper Michael Ballack, for failing to back him and speak out against abuse.
Italian law makers enforce new in-match racism rules
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 11 – A week after the AC Milan anti-racism walk-off led by Kevin-Prince Boateng, an Italian government watchdog has given the green light for future matches to be halted – but not by players or referees.
Failed African Cup TV deal keeps tournament off-air in Nigeria
By Mark Baber
January 10 – Nigerian fans might not be able to watch the Africa Cup of Nations after the Malam Abubakar Jijiwa, Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), a coalition of electronic media companies, held a press conference on Wednesday to announce it had failed to acquire the broadcast rights.
Hayatou is the winner as CAS refuses to hear Liberian appeal
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 10 – Issa Hayatou’s (pictured) bid to carry on running African football without having to fight off a challenge for the leadership looks a lot stronger after the Liberian FA failed in a second appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to suddenly change its rules over presidential elections.