ESPN awarded Euro 2012 and 2016 media rights in Caribbean
By David Gold
March 16 – UEFA has confirmed the appointment of ESPN as the Caribbean’s official broadcaster of the European Championships in 2012 and 2016.
Man behind Roberto Carlos “banana incident” identified
By David Gold
March 16 – A man has admitted throwing a banana at Anzhi Makhachkala’s Brazilian star Roberto Carlos (pictured) during a league match in Samara, but will not be punished.
Blatter’s meeting with Brazilian President heals Valcke comments rift
By Andrew Warshaw
March 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured left) emerged from his 2014 World Cup summit meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (right) today pledging to work more closely together to keep preparations for the tournament on track.
Russian Football Union boss threatens to close unkempt stadiums
By David Gold
March 16 – Sergei Fursenko, the head of the Russian Football Union (RFU), has threatened to close the stadia of clubs who do not look after their pitches.
Egyptian Premier League faces an uncertain future
By David Gold
March 16 – The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) chairman Anwar Saleh (pictured) says that they are as yet undecided on the future direction of football in the country.
FIFA vice-president Prince Ali clears the air after Premier League chair’s embarrassing outburst
By Andrew Warshaw
March 16 – Jordan’s FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (pictured left) has sought to diffuse any tension with English football authorities by playing down Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards’ (right) outburst at this week’s International Sport Security Conference in Doha.
Seventy five charged in Egypt following Port Said massacre
By Andrew Warshaw
March 16 – Egyptian authorities have reacted to the Port Said massacre by charging 75 people – including nine policemen – with murder and/or negligence.
FIFA’s reforms body calls for investigation into “unsatisfactory” voting processes
By Andrew Warshaw
March 16 – The voting process that led to Russia and Qatar being selected as hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups has again come under the spotlight, this time as part of FIFA’s own anti-corruption reform programme.
Tom Degun: A bad day in Doha for Sir Dave Richards
As far as bad days go, March 14, 2012 is one Sir Dave Richards probably wants to forget.
The strange thing is that it all started so innocuously for the English Premier League chairman on the first day of the International Sport Security Conference here in the Qatari capital Doha.
Richards sat down to take part in an interesting if unspectacular panel session titled: “New Frontiers: Rewards and Challenges to Growing a Sporting Brand in New Markets”.
ICSS signs MoU with Institute for Fan Culture to combat violence and hooliganism in sport
By Tom Degun at the International Sport Security Conference in Doha
March 15 – The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany’s Institute for Fan Culture in order to develop and share knowledge within the field of violence and hooliganism in sport.
Seven teams to battle in Oceania’s Olympic men’s football qualifiers
By David Gold
March 15 – Oceania’s Olympic men’s football qualifiers get underway tomorrow in New Zealand, with seven teams battling for one spot at London 2012.
Brazilian Football Confederation announces names of 52 London 2012 hopefuls
By David Gold
March 15 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has released a list of 52 players, including Ronaldinho, Neymar and Dani Alves, longlisted to play for the country during the London 2012 Olympic Games men’s football tournament.
Japan and United Arab Emirates qualify for London 2012 men’s Olympic football
By David Gold
March 14 – Japan and the United Arab Emirates both booked places at the London 2012 Olympic Games men’s football tournament, though their fortunes differed wildly during the final round of group games in the third phase of Asian qualifiers.
Gazprom Neft secures news sponsorship deal with Zenit St Petersburg
By David Gold
March 15 – Gazprom Neft has sealed a new $20 million (£12.7 million/€15 million) sponsorship deal with the Russian Premier League champions Zenit St Petersburg.
I was duped into selling to Whyte, insists Former Rangers owner Sir David Murray
By David Gold
March 15 – Former Glasgow Rangers owner Sir David Murray (pictured) has admitted he was “duped” into selling the club to Craig Whyte.