Barry Hearn: London 2012 Olympic Stadium is not fit for football
By David Gold
February 20 – Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn has claimed that the London 2012 Olympic Stadium “is not fit for football.”
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
Teixeira set to stand down as CBF President
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – The reign of corruption-tainted Brazilian powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira looks set to end after months of growing pressure.
Haiti earthquake funds controlled by Jack Warner unaccounted for
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – Funds donated for the Haiti earthquake fund, but which never arrived, were paid into a bank account controlled by former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (pictured), according to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF).
Australia draw Japan in first AFC Under-22 Asian Cup
By David Gold
February 16 – Regional powers Australia and Japan have been pitted together in the qualifying round of the inaugural Under-22 Asian Cup following the draw at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) House in Kuala Lumpur.
Azerbaijan mobile phone company sign-up as World Cup sponsor
By David Gold
February 16 – Bakcell, one of Azerbaijan’s leading mobile phone providers, has been confirmed as the third company so far committed to support the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, being held later this year from September 22 to October 13.
Warner back in the dock over unpaid 2006 World Cup bonuses
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – A High Court judge is expected to decide tomorrow what action to take against former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner over the long-running 2006 World Cup payments dispute.
World Cup referee jailed for match-fixing
By David Gold
February 16 – Former World Cup referee Lu Jun has been sentenced to a five-and-a-half year jail term for involvement in match-fixing in China.
Fresh doubts over Warsaw Euro 2012 Stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – Poland’s new $641 million (£409 million/€493 million) National Stadium, the jewel in the country’s Euro 2012 preparations, may not be ready to stage its showpiece inaugural fixture, a friendly against Portugal on February 29.
Rangers making “very good progress” claim administrators
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – Administrators in charge of Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers are confident the club will not go out of business, citing “very good progress” within the first 24 hours of taking over the running the 54-times league champions.
FIFA’s 2014 World Cup Law delayed by Brazilian Congress Commission
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – FIFA’s hopes of finally striking a deal with Brazil over the crucial law governing the 2014 World Cup have suffered yet another setback after a Brazilian Congressional Commission delayed a vote.
FIFA warns Argentina over plans to rename league after General Belgrano
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – FIFA has warned Argentina that provocatively renaming its domestic championship after the General Belgrano battleship sunk by Britain during the 1982 Falklands War could breach its statutes.
David Owen: Why English football may need Alan Turing even more than Harry Redknapp
Here we go again.
England needs a new football manager, setting off a new cycle of speculation, unrealistically burgeoning expectations and disillusionment, as surely as, well 55,000 Twitter-users follow the Anfield cat.
Actually, the speculation bit looks like being much diminished this time, since everyone thinks they know the new man’s identity: step forward Harry Redknapp, cheekie-chappie manager of Tottenham Hotspur, surprise package of the 2011-12 English Premier League season.
Olympiakos Volos lose Europa League CAS appeal
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – UEFA have won another battle in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with the news that Greek club Olympiakos Volos have failed to overturn being kicked out of this season’s Europa League.
Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier postponed following Port Said tragedy
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – Egypt’s first Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, against the Central African Republic, has been postponed as a result of the Port Said disaster which left 74 people dead and hundreds more injured following clashes between fans of Al-Ahly and Al-Masry.
Rangers enter administration and suffer 10 point penalty
By Andrew Warshaw
February 14 – Twenty-four hours after filing the relevant papers, Glasgow Rangers became one of the world’s most high-profile clubs ever to enter administration today, a stunning humiliation for a team supported by millions of fans worldwide and a severe wakeup call for clubs who fail to properly manage their financial affairs.