Oi signs up as first local sponsor of 2014 World Cup in Brazil
March 22 – Telecommunicatios company Oi has become the first local sponsor of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, it was announced today.
Ipswich sign up to be official training base for England 2018
March 22 – Ipswich Town today signed an agreement to be a training base for the World Cup if England’s bid to host the 2018 tournament is successful.
Indonesian World Cup bid was “grand idea from a big nation” claims FA President
March 21 – Nurdin Halid (pictured), the President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), has apologised after the country’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup was debarred from the race by FIFA.
MLS to go ahead after strike crisis averted
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 20 – The new Major League Soccer (MLS) season will kick-off as planned in the United States next week after a deal – reached with the help of Landon Donovan (pictured) – was hammered-out to prevent the players going out on strike.
Platini may make announcement on future next week
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March 20 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) could announce next week whether he intends to bid for another four-year term it has been reported.
Beckenbauer impressed with New York Red Bull Arena
March 20 – Franz Beckenbauer has praised the new Red Bull Arena, New York’s first purpose-built football stadium, which was officially opened today with an exhibition match against Pele’s old club, Santos.
World Cup will not deprive Australia of own sport warns AFL boss
March 20 – Australian Rules football will refuse to take a backseat if the country is awarded the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, the league’s chief executive Andrew Demetriou (pictured) has warned.
Makudi appeals to Thai red-shirts to leave football alone
March 20 – Worawi Makudi (pictured), the President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and a member of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee, has appealed to people protesting against the Government not to disrupt the country’s Premier League from taking place.
Iraq reinstated by FIFA
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March 19 – FIFA today lifted its suspension on the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) following a compromise agreement over alleged Government interference.
Colombia launches early plan to bid for 2026 World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 19 – Colombia President Alvaro Uribe (pictured) has announced his country will bid to host the 2026 football World Cup after receiving encouragement from Jack Warner.
FIFA President term not to be limited
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By David Owen
March 19 – FIFA has decided against putting a limit on the time that anyone can serve as FIFA President, in a move portrayed as a fillip for current incumbent, Sepp Blatter (pictured).
Indonesia’s World Cup bid finally axed by FIFA
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By David Owen
March 19 - And then there were nine after Indonesia appears to be out of the race to stage the 2022 World Cup following its failure to come up with satisfactory Governmental guarantees by the required deadline.
Exclusive: Coe – Sullivan comments are like cracked record
By Duncan Mackay in Whistler
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 19 – Sebastian Coe (pictured), the chairman of London 2012, has claimed that comments from critics that the Olympic Stadium should be turned over to a football club after the Games and that if it used to stage athletics it is waste of public money are beginning to sound like “a cracked record”.
Euro 2012 venues could be cut from eight to six admit UEFA
March 19 – The European Championships in 2012 could be held at only six venues instead of eight if the stadiums are not completed in time, it was revealed today.
Exclusive: Qatar last on FIFA inspection list
By Andrew Warshaw
March 18 – The bid to stage the 2022 World Cup has burst into controversy with the revelation that Qatar have arranged to be last on the list of FIFA technical inspection visits – several weeks after the other Asian candidates.