Morocco book place at London 2012 with victory over Egypt
By David Gold
December 7 – Morocco beat Egypt 3-2 in the African Olympic qualifiers semi-final in Marrakech to secure a place at the London 2012 Olympic Games football tournament.
Gold Cup 2025
ICE agents to operate at Club World Cup, SoFi’s Gold Cup opener could be the litmus test for football’s big summer in the US
By Paul Nicholson in Los Angeles
June 13 – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be active at the Club World Cup that kicks off on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and throughout the month-long tournament.
CFU general secretary Kanhai resigns due to “pressures”
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – Angenie Kanhai (pictured), general secretary of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) who is understood to have helped FIFA in its investigation of the cash-for-votes scandal, is resigning in the face of “emotional, psychological and physical” pressure.
Jordaan takes on Patel for top COSAFA role
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – Danny Jordaan (pictured), organiser of last year’s World Cup in South Africa, goes head to head with a single rival on Friday (December 9) in a bid to get back into the footballing spotlight and oversee the game in southern Africa.
Indictments made in Turkish match fixing scandal
By David Gold
December 7 – Turkish prosecutors have indicted 93 suspects in the match fixing scandal which has rocked the game in the country.
Brazil overturns alcohol ban with new World Cup law
By David Gold
December 7 – Brazil has drafted a new 2014 World Cup Law, which overturns a ban on alcohol being sold and consumed at sports venues.
Arsenal decide against 2012 Emirates Cup due to Olympics clash
By David Gold
December 7 – Arsenal have announced that they will not stage the Emirates Cup next summer due to the London Olympic Games taking place over the period when the annual tournament would usually be held.
FBI probing World Cup votes for 2018 and 2022, it is claimed
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – The corruption allegations that swirled around the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups just over a year ago have been reignited by a suggestion that the FBI is now involved.
Late winner earns Gabon place at London 2012
By David Gold
December 6 – A late, late header from Bordeaux’s Andre Biyogho Poko was enough to give Gabon a shock 1-0 win over Senegal and a place at the London 2012 Olympic Games football tournament, making them the first African nation to qualify.
Goal-line technology could be used from 2012-2013, says FIFA President
By Andrew Warshaw
December 6 – At least two goal-line technology systems have proved themselves sufficiently accurate and could be in place by the start of next season, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has revealed.
Mancini and Rummenigge trade blows in financial fair play dispute
By David Gold
December 6 – Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has criticised Bayern Munich chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge ahead of the Champions League clash between the pair this week, after the former German international attacked the Premier League leaders’ spending.
Al Jazeera buy French rights to broadcast UEFA Champions League
By David Gold
December 6 – Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera has taken another step into the French sports media rights market with the acquisition of four UEFA packages to show Champions League games.
FIFA’s publication of ISL file delayed
By David Owen
December 6 – Sepp Blatter (pictured) has suffered a new setback in his drive to reform world football’s governing body.
Anzhi stars Eto’o and Carlos hail Russian World Cup
By David Gold
December 6 – Anzhi Makhachkala stars Samuel Eto’o (pictured) and Roberto Carlos have stated their confidence in Russia’s ability to stage the World Cup in 2018.
Havelange is “man all Brazilians should be proud of” says head of Rio 2016
By Duncan Mackay
December 5 – Joao Havelange’s position as a “legend” and “icon” remains unaffected by his decision to resign from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to avoid corruption charges, the head of Rio 2016 claimed today.
David Owen: When all is said and done, Havelange was one of the towering figures of 20th century sport
The weekend reports claiming that João Havelange had resigned as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) brought to mind two images from recent IOC Sessions.
The first is from Copenhagen in 2009.
The Brazilian, who as FIFA President once shared with the late Juan Antonio Samaranch the billing of ‘Most Powerful Man in World Sport’, is inviting fellow members of the IOC club to Rio de Janeiro to celebrate his 100th birthday in 2016.