I want to be in Team GB, says Celtic’s Hooper
By David Gold
October 28 – Celtic’s Gary Hooper has said that he would be keen to be a part of the British football team selected by Stuart Pearce at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Tévez’s record fine halved
By David Gold
October 28 – Carlos Tévez’s record £1 million (€1.13 million/$1.61 million) fine has been halved after the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) refused to back the Premier League club’s reasoning for the penalty.
Rio drug testing lab under investigation following false positive test
By Tom Degun
October 27 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory in Rio de Janeiro is facing an investigation after it falsely reported that Brazilian beach volleyball player Pedro Solberg tested positive for doping.
Meeting to decide on new CONCACAF general secretary
By Tom Degun in Guadalajara
October 27 – A conference is currently underway here to decide on who will replace CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer when the American steps down from his post on December 31 this year.
Budweiser extends World Cup deal to 2022
By David Gold
October 27 – Anheuser-Busch InBev SA has agreed to extend its World Cup sponsorship to the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, being held in Russia and Qatar respectively.
Trouble ahead for Teixeira after Brazilian Sports Minister resigns
By Tom Degun in Guadalajara
October 27 – Brazilian Sports Minister Orlando Silva today resigned from his post following the serious corruption allegations that emerged against him earlier this month.
Blatter sends condolences to Turkey following devastating earthquake
By David Gold
October 26 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has written to the Turkish President, Dr Abdullah Gül, to express his sympathy for the country, after it was hit by an earthquake earlier this week, in which at least 461 people lost their lives.
New initiative could spell the end of complex offside law
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Football’s lawmakers will be asked next year to consider changing the offside law to make it simpler for players and fans alike.
FIFA agree half price concessions for pensioners at 2014 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – FIFA will allow Brazilians over 65 to attend matches at the 2014 World Cup for half price to comply with Government legislation, according to the organisation’s general secretary Jérôme Valcke.
Ten more Caribbean officials named in bribery debacle
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Ten more Caribbean officials are to be investigated for their roles in the FIFA cash-for-votes scandal, plunging the region into even more disgrace.
Tévez threatens to sue Mancini following record fine
By David Gold
October 26 – Carlos Tévez (pictured left) is reportedly considering suing his Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini (pictured right) following the record fine handed to him by the Premier League leaders.
End is nigh for Sion and UEFA battle
By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – The ongoing dispute between Swiss club Sion and UEFA is set to be resolved late next month once and for all.
Canada’s women aim for Olympic spot after lucky qualification draw
By David Gold
October 25 – Canada’s national women’s football team have been drawn alongside Costa Rica, Cuba and Haiti as they look to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
David Gold: Ayre’s call for individual television rights deserves more than scorn
And so there I was, putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) on an explanation of why Liverpool’s chief executive Ian Ayre was right to bring up the issue of the collective television bargaining agreement that exists in the Premier League, and whether top clubs should go it alone in signing rights agreements with broadcasters.
True, he has less chance of success with this battle in the Premier League boardroom than a tourist has of leaving Mexico without getting clenbuterol into their system – and for that true football fans should be thankful.
Warner is untouchable, warns Panday
By David Gold
October 25 – Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday has said that ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner cannot be touched, as an investigation is carried out into the former CONCACAF President’s role in the cash-for-votes scandal by the country’s Attorney General.