New nation South Sudan recognised by FIFA after near unanimous support
By David Gold
May 29 – South Sudan has been confirmed as a member of FIFA with near unanimous support from member of world football’s governing body.
Manchester United has finally achieved world domination – it’s official!
By Stuart Newman
May 29 – Manchester United’s unparalleled popularity among football fans across the globe has been confirmed by a new survey.
Earthquake tragedy causes cancellation of Italy-Luxembourg Euro 2012 warm-up match
By David Gold
May 29 – Italy’s friendly match with Luxembourg this evening has been cancelled after an earthquake, which reportedly killed 10 people, struck near Parma, where the game was due to be played.
Trinidad to take no criminal action against Warner over FIFA bribery scandal
By Duncan Mackay
May 29 – Disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner will not face any criminal action in his native Trinidad and Tobago for his involvement in an alleged bribery scandal that forced him to resign from the world governing body last year, it has been announced.
Criscito out of Italy Euro 2012 squad following match-fixing allegations
By David Gold
May 29 – Domenico Criscito has been forced to withdraw from Italy’s squad for the 2012 European Championship as a result of the match-fixing probe in the country.
Former FIFA President leaves hospital after two month stay
By Duncan Mackay
May 29 – Former FIFA President João Havelange has been released from hospital in Rio de Janeiro, more than two months after being admitted with a serious infection on his right ankle.
Poland and Spain reveal Euro 2012 squads
By David Gold
May 29 – Poland and Spain have both confirmed their respective squads for this summer’s European Championship, which gets underway in just under two weeks’ time, with no David Villa or Carles Puyol in the title holders’ 23-man selection.
US puts Olympic women’s title defence in hands of rookies
By David Gold
May 28 – Reigning Olympic champions the United States has named its women’s team for London 2012, with a relatively inexperienced selection from coach Pia Sundhage.
FIFA’s Jérôme Valcke makes first trip to Brazil since “Bagshot blunder”
By Andrew Warshaw
May 28 – For the first time since his infamous “kick up the backside” comments, FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke is flying to Brazil today to resume his duties as the organisation’s main negotiator for the 2014 World Cup.
Exclusive: Attempt to exile whistleblower Blazer scuppered by lack of support
By Andrew Warshaw
May 28 – A bid to throw last year’s cash-for-votes whistleblower Chuck Blazer out of FIFA’s inner sanctum failed when not enough nations supported the move.
High-profile names quizzed over Italian match-fixing
By Andrew Warshaw
May 28 – Antonio Conte (pictured below), who has just coached Juventus to the Serie A league title in his first season in charge, is reported to be among a number of high-profile names being questioned in the latest development in the Italian match-fixing probe.
BBC racism and violence exposé casts dark shadow on Euro 2012
By Andrew Warshaw
May 28 – Shocking new evidence of entrenched racism and violence in Ukrainian and Polish football has cast a dark shadow over the 2012 European Championship which starts on June 8.
Three killed during skirmishes following Indonesia Super League match
By David Gold
May 27 – Three people have reportedly been killed with five others badly injured in violent clashes following a heated match in the rebel Indonesia Super League.
Britain considering Ministerial boycott of Euro 2012
By Alan Hubbard
May 27 – The British Government are considering whether to join a political boycott of the upcoming European football championship in protest at Ukraine’s human rights record.
FIFA Prince concerned that hijab ban overturn won’t happen before key fixtures after medical objections
By Andrew Warshaw in Budapest
May 26 – FIFA’s Asian vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan (pictured), the modernist who has led a tireless campaign to overturn the ban on Muslim women footballers wearing the hijab, says he is “shocked and disturbed” by suggestions there are still medical objections.