ESPN makes inroads into European market
By David Gold
July 27 – ESPN has made further inroads into the European football market after signing deals to broadcast Dutch, French, German, Italian and Russian top flight football.
Philip Barker: Britain played its last Olympic football match in 1971 when no-one really cared
When Ryan Giggs (pictured below) led the Great Britain team out against Senegal at Old Trafford yesterday, it was their first competitive Olympic match for 41 years.
In those days, the game in England was still divided between professionals and amateurs and Great Britain were drawn to play Bulgaria in their quest to reach the Olympic Games in Munich.
Charles Hughes, a coach at the Football Association (FA) and the manager of the England amateur team was put in charge.
UEFA tighten rules on third party ownership
By David Gold
July 27 – UEFA has cracked down on third party ownership after a successful campaign by the English Premier League and Ligue 1, the French Premier League.
Moynihan disagrees with Blatter over Bale ban
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Colin Moynihan has played down suggestions by FIFA President Sepp Blatter that Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale could be banned for pulling out of the Olympics if there was an official complaint that he did so under false pretences.
Capello confirmed as Russia’s head coach
By Andrew Warshaw
July 26 – Former England manager Fabio Capello as expected was named as Russia’s new head coach today on a two-year deal aimed qualifying for the Brazil 2014 World Cup finals – four years before the Russians host the event.
Late Senegal goal denies Team GB glory at their first London 2012 match
By Andrew Warshaw at Old Trafford in Manchester
July 26 – On the eve of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony and more than half a century after their last appearance at the Olympic football tournament, Britain’s men came within nine agonising minutes of pulling off an historic victory tonight but ultimately ran out of steam as party-poopers Senegal ruined Ryan Giggs’ special night.
Japan deliver first shock of London 2012 men’s football tournament with defeat over Spain
By David Gold
July 26 – Japan caused the first major shock of the men’s Olympic football tournament as they stunned world and European champions Spain with a 1-0 victory at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Bin Hammam suspended for 90 days by FIFA investigator
By Andrew Warshaw
July 26 – FIFA’s new independent investigator has wasted no time to make his first move, suspending Mohamed Bin Hammam for 90 days little more than a week after the former Asian powerbroker had his life ban for bribery lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Cringeworthy match programme error heaps more red-faced humiliation on London 2012
By Andrew Warshaw at Old Trafford in Manchester
July 26 – It may not be have been as humiliating a gaffe as the North Korea flag incident at Hampden Park in Glasgow 24 hours earlier, but organisers of the Olympic football tournament had more red faces today when the official programme for Team GB listed Welsh midfielder Joe Allen as being English.
David Gold: Olympic men’s football kicks off… but I can only foresee a three horse race
The Olympic men’s football tournament gets underway today, and although 16 teams start with hopes of success there are three countries that stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Brazil, Spain and Uruguay could well be the teams taking away gold, silver and bronze this summer, although in which order is harder to predict. But it is difficult to see beyond them when it comes to anticipating the next two weeks.
For Brazil,
Bale could be banned for duration of London 2012
By Andrew Warshaw
July 26 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter says Gareth Bale (pictured) could be banned from playing any further friendly matches for his club, Tottenham Hotspur, for the duration of the Olympic Games.
France lose out to USA despite early lead
By David Gold
July 25 – The reigning Olympic champions, the United States, were given an almighty scare by France in their opening match of defending their women’s football title, but eventually came through to register a 4-2 win at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
North Korea in first diplomatic row of London 2012 after wrong flag was displayed
By David Gold
July 25 – The opening day of sport at London 2012 has sparked a row with North Korea after the South Korean flag was mistakenly displayed prior to their women’s football opener against Colombia at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Team GB women’s football squad make history with victory at Olympic debut
By Andrew Warshaw
July 25 – Global attention may be focussed on Friday’s Olympic Opening Ceremony but the first competitive action of London 2012 got under way today – not in the capital but at Cardiff ‘s Millennium stadium 150 miles away.
Beckham given role in London 2012 Opening Ceremony
By Andrew Warshaw
July 25 – David Beckham, controversially left out of the Team GB squad at London 2012, is to be given a cameo role at Friday’s Opening Ceremony – but he will not be lighting the cauldron.