Inside World Football - Page 1995 of 2251 - For the Business of Football

David Gold: Olympic men’s football kicks off… but I can only foresee a three horse race

David Gold_IWF

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,

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Bale could be banned for duration of London 2012

Gareth Bale_in_match_against_LA_Galaxy

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.

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France lose out to USA despite early lead

Rachel Buehler_of_USA_is_tackled_by_Marie-Laure_Delie_of_France

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.

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North Korea in first diplomatic row of London 2012 after wrong flag was displayed

South Korean_flag_shown_wrongly_Hampden_Park_July_25_2012

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.

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Team GB women’s football squad make history with victory at Olympic debut

Alex Scott_25-07-12

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.

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Beckham given role in London 2012 Opening Ceremony

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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.

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Bale played for Spurs despite quitting Team GB over injury

Gareth Bale_L_of_Tottenham_Hotspur_walks_past_head_coach_Andre_Villas-Boas_25-07-12

By Andrew Warshaw

July 25 – The first major off-the-field controversy surrounding the make-up of the Team GB men’s football team flared up today when it emerged that Welsh star Gareth Bale – who had withdrawn citing injury – played for his club Tottenham Hotspur instead thousands of miles away in Los Angeles.

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Brazil’s goalkeeper out of London 2012

Rafael Cabral_July_25

By David Gold

July 25 – Rafael Cabral has been forced to withdraw from Brazil’s Olympic men’s football squad with an elbow injury.

Mihir Bose

Mihir Bose: FA’s reticence to act over John Terry affair sends out confusing message over its stance on race issues

The Football Association (FA) does not often deserve sympathy. It has certainly had little over the John Terry affair which had such dramatic consequences that it produced, arguably, the most unexpected collateral damage ever seen in the game. England lost their manager Fabio Capello just months before the second most important tournament in the world. And this, in turn, set off a chain of reactions that also contributed to the departure of Harry Redknapp from Tottenham Hotspur.

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English crisis club Portsmouth close to shutting doors for good

Portsmouth 24_July

By Andrew Warshaw

July 25 – One of the longest running debacles in English football could be close to a sad conclusion with the news that south-coast club Portsmouth are in grave danger of going out of business.

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O2 end Arsenal sponsorship

Arsenal sponsorshipJuly_25_

By David Gold

July 25 – After the bombshell that Robin van Persie would not be renewing his Arsenal deal, O2 have decided to end their association with the Premier League club as well.

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FIFA dispute looms as three Gabon players withheld from London 2012

Didier Ovono_July_25

By Andrew Warshaw

July 25 – Three clubs, two French and one Gabonese, have refused to release players to compete for Gabon at London 2012, putting them on a collision course with FIFA.

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To medal at London 2012 Team GB footballers must hit ground running, says coach Pearce

Stuart Pearce_July_24_

By Andrew Warshaw

July 24 – Team GB head coach Stuart Pearce says his side will have to hit the ground running if they are to stand any chance of winning an Olympic medal.

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Two more nominees for RFU President

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By David Gold

July 24 – Two new names have been thrown into the ring for the Russian Football Union (RFU) President role.

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Seitz selected to officiate opening match of Olympic Games

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By Stuart Newman

July 23 – Kari Seitz will enjoy the honour of taking charge of the opening match of London 2012 when she referees the tussle between hosts Team GB and New Zealand on Wednesday (July 25), the FIFA Organising Committee for Olympic Football Tournaments has announced.