USA v Slovenia calamity referee should be sent home
By Andrew Warshaw at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
June 18 – Eventually it had to happen, a refereeing decision so outrageous you wondered how the official responsible got the gig in the first place.
Pain for Spain makes World Cup journey more difficult
By David Owen in Durban
June 17 - No team in the 80 year history of the World Cup has lost their first match and gone on to lift the trophy.
Warner to find out his fate later today
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 17 – Jack Warner (pictured) will discover today whether he has to give up his position as FIFA vice-president if he wants to remain a member of Trinidad and Tobago’s Government.
Mihir Bose: USA deal could be crucial to England chances of getting 2018 World Cup
So when will USA withdraw its bid from the 2018 World Cup and concentrate on getting 2022 for the States?
On the day of the FIFA Congress, immediately after Australia withdrew from 2018, rumours swept Sandton, the once exclusive white suburb now dominated by the huge statute of Nelson Mandela where the good and great of football have gathered, that the USA was about to pull out.
Rob Green can recover from USA error, claims sports pychologist
By Tom Degun
June 17 – England goalkeeper Rob Green, the man responsible for the catastrophic mistake which led to United States’ equalising against England in the World Cup last Saturday (June 12), will be able overcome the error if he takes the right steps according to the Head of Performance Psychology at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) Mark Bawden.
David Owen: In search of North Korean fans
Picture the scene.
It is Brazil’s first match at the 2010 World Cup; night has fallen; it is so cold that the Official Fan Shop has sold out of blankets at 400 Rand a throw.
And here I am on a corner looking for North Korea fans.
Warner to be allowed to continue as FIFA vice-president
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 17 – Jack Warner (pictured) will be allowed to continue as Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Works and Transport while serving as FIFA vice-president, the country’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced.
Warner defiant as he returns home to Trinidad
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 16 – FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (pictured) has returned from the World Cup in South Africa to Trinidad and Tobago and insisted that he has done nothing wrong despite attacks from Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.
Exclusive: Elle Macpherson invites world to “Come Play” in Australia
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 16 – Elle Macpherson (pictured), one of the most recognisable women in the world, is pledging her support of Australia’s campaign to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, she has announced today.
Boris Johnson blows the vuvuzela for 2018 World Cup bid
June 16 – London Mayor Boris Johnson has blown the trumpet for England’s 2018 World Cup bid after arriving in Cape Town today ahead of the match against Algeria on Friday (June 18).
FIFA press criminal charges against Dutch beer company
June 16 – Two of the alleged organisers behind the World Cup marketing stunt which cost ITV pundit Robbie Earle his job and led to him being axed as an ambassador for England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup have been arrested in South Africa.
The future’s bright, the future’s Orange for Poland in Euro 2012 build-up
June 16 - French telecommunications company Orange has renewed its deal to be the main sponsor of Poland’s national team until 2014, a deal which covers Euro 2012 which they are co-hosting with Ukraine.
Exclusive: My heart was on 2018 but we pulled out at right time says Lowy
By David Owen in Johannesburg
June 15 – Australia pulled out of the race for the 2018 World Cup at the right time, according to Frank Lowy, chairman of Football Federation Australia (FFA).
Russia World Cup bid books stolen in South Africa
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 15 – Russia had two volumes of its bid book for the 2018 World Cup stolen during a special Expo held attended by Romam Abramovich and David Beckham in Johannesburg last week, they have revealed.