Former Prime Minister to appeal against FIFA ban
By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – Former Dominica Prime Minister Patrick John is appealing FIFA’s decision to ban him for two years for his role in the cash-for-votes scandal last May.
Exclusive: Australia appeal against North Korea London 2012 qualification rejected
By David Gold
November 21 – Australia’s women’s football team will not be competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided not to appeal FIFA’s ruling that North Korea can compete in London next year despite members of their team failing drugs tests at the World Cup earlier this year, inisideworldfootball can reveal.
I recognise my sins, but never regret them, claims Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
November 20 – Two days after apologising for his gaffe over racism on the field, FIFA President Sepp Blatter launched a another trouble-shooting offensive today aimed at restoring his battered reputation.
Former Prime Minister among latest Caribbean officials sanctioned by FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
November 18 – The FIFA bribery scandal that sent shock waves through world football and led to the departures of two of the sport’s most influential powerbrokers reached another milestone today when six more Caribbean officials were banned.
Manchester City report record losses of £197 million
By David Gold
November 18 – Manchester City have recorded a gargantuan loss of £197 million ($311 million/€230) for 2010-2011, placing in doubt the club’s ability to comply with UEFA’s new financial fair play rules.
Sion lose state court battle against FIFA and UEFA
By David Gold
November 18 – FC Sion’s battle with FIFA and UEFA suffered a major blow today when a state court in Switzerland ruled in favour of world football’s governing body over six players they had alleged the club had signed in contravention of a transfer ban.
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”.