“Champions are made from something they have deep inside them, a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. BUT THE WILL MUST BE STRONGER THAN THE SKILL” – Muhammad Ali.
African football, with its wealth and depth of talent, undoubtedly has the skill to conquer the game’s steep summit – the World Cup –
The Asian Football Confederation, AFC, is trying one more time to get its house in order. After a dismal era under an omni(im)potent Peter Velappan (a GenSec who played president for far too long), a man with an often particular management style took over the helm: Mohamed bin Hammam was in charge, and in ways that widened many a nostril. What he created, at times against crude opposition, is a more functioning and more modern organisation in terms of competitions,
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – Kosovo’s campaign to be given improved status in world football has been added to the agenda at next month’s FIFA executive committee meeting, according to leading officials of the breakaway Balkan state.
By Mark Baber
February 25 – Corinthians are appealing the penalties imposed by CONMEBOL on the club after the tragic death of 14-year-old Bolivian fan Kevin Beltran Espada, who was struck by a flare allegedly thrown by travelling Corinthians supporters.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – Paul Elliott, one of European football’s most visible and vocal anti-racism campaigners, has been forced to resign after a discriminatory text message he sent to a former business colleague was made public.
February 25 – Qatar is further opening its construction doors to the world and hosting the World Stadium Congress 2013 in Doha, 2-5 June.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 25 – FIFA’s much trumpeted reform proposals, due to be approved at its Congress in May, have received a timely boost after being backed by CONCACAF which represents football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – A landmark fan protest over what have been described as draconian ticket and travel restrictions is being stepped up amid a legal storm and a promise by police chiefs to discuss the issue further.
By Mark Baber
February 22 – The Copa Centenario, the proposed CONCACAF/CONMEBOL celebration tournament for the 100th birthday of South America’s confederation, is awaiting FIFA’s approval, but already plans are being put in place.
February 22 – Munich has become the first city to apply to the German Football Federation (DFB) to be Germany’s host city for the 2020 European Championship.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – Barcelona are trying to organise a symbolic peace match against a joint Israeli-Palestinian team to try and heal the wounds between two sides and promote the Middle East peace process.
February 22 – German club Schalke are reported to have officially appealed against Didier Drogba’s inclusion in the Galatasaray team when the clubs drew 1-1 in the Champions League this week.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – The future of Portsmouth football club, which has been in administration for a year with debts of about £60m, looks set to be finally settled – but maybe not for another two months.
February 22 – The prospects for the return of a CIS regional league look more remote after the Ukranian FA distanced itself from the Russian club proposal.
