Van Gaal slams IFA Board as faceless old men
August 9 – Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal (pictured) has criticised FIFA President Sepp Blatter for not opening up to the use of technology in football.
David Owen: England must fear Russia and US charge for 2018 World Cup
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The 2010 World Cup is over.
FIFA’s 2018/2022 inspection team has hit the road.
With less than four months to go, the race to stage the next World Cup but one is finally steaming towards the top of the 24 FIFA Executive Committee members’ in-trays.
Kennedy concedes defeat in battle to stay as President of IFA
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 8 – A warning from the Northern Ireland Government that they will not fund a £30 million ($45 million) redevelopment of Windsor Park has forced Raymond Kennedy to accept that he has to step down as the President of the Irish Football Association (IFA).
Russia forced to move match from Moscow because of weather crisis
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 7 – Russia’s match against Bulgaria on Wednesday (August 11) has been moved from Moscow to St Petersburg because of health risks after acrid smog engulfed the Russian capital at a time that officials were hoping to showcase the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Irish FA warned of consequences if Kennedy stays
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 6 – The Irish Football Association (IFA) is set upon a collision course with the Government after President Raymond Kennedy appeared to signal that he would not stand down next month as had been announced.
Mihir Bose: I will believe Chinese whispers when I see it
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The Liverpool take-over has long been one of football’s most curious soap operas but the latest twist with the Chinese Government, albeit through its investment arm China Investment Capital, seeking to buy the club, has something of a touch of Dallas combined with that of the East Enders.
Like the best of these soap operas it spins story lines which then turn out to be just that, nice tales that do not reflect reality.
Chinese Government want to buy Liverpool
August 5 – The Chinese Government has been revealed as the mystery backer behind a bid to buy Premier League Liverpool.
Cosmos may have to wait for MLS place warns Commissioner
August 5 – New York Cosmos have been warned that they still faced a long struggle to be given a franchise to play in Major League Soccer (MLS) despite the razzmatazz that has accompanied their relaunch.
Italian FA President hoping Baggio and Rivera can help restore glory days
August 4 – Giancarlo Abete (pictured), the President of Italian Football Federation (FIGC), is pinning his hopes of a series of changes to help restore the country to the top of the sport following a disappointing performance at the World Cup in South Africa.
More political doubts raised over Belgium and Netherlands 2018 World Cup bid
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August 4 – Leading Belgium politicians have joined their colleagues in the Netherlands and and raised doubts about their country’s joint campaign to host the 2018 World Cup less than a week before a team of FIFA inspectors are due to arrive to evaluate their bid.
Americans will not stand in the way of new Liverpool owners they promise
August 4 – Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have promised not to stand in the way of a new buyer, it has been claimed.
Baggio, Sacchi and Rivera set to join Italian federation
August 3 – Roberto Baggio (pictured), one of Italy’s finest ever players, is set to return to football, joining Italy’s football federation (FIGC) after the national team’s disastrous exit from the World Cup.
World Cup finalists fined for bad behaviour
By Andrew Warshaw
August 3 – The Netherlands and Spain have been fined by FIFA for their outrageous behaviour in last month’s World Cup final.
Garber signs new multi-million dollar contract with MLS
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August 2 – Don Garber has signed a four-year contract that could be worth up to $12 million (£7.5 million) as Major League Soccer Commissioner until 2014, it has been announced.
New York Cosmos relaunched with aim of playing in MLS
August 1 – A new group led by English businessman Paul Kemsley has acquired the name of the old Cosmos soccer team of the North American Soccer League (NASL) and made Pele its honorary President.