Australia World Cup bid signs up Qantas as first sponsor
March 31 – Australia today announced Qantas as the first major backer of its bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
AEG chief executive joins USA World Cup bid
March 30 – Tim Leiweke (pictured right), the President and chief executive, of AEG has joined the Board if Directors of the United States World Cup Bid Committee, it was announced today.
Cape Town best value for accommodation during World Cup
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March 30 - Anyone seeking value-priced accommodation for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa should consider Cape Town, according to a new survey.
David Owen: Teixeira challenge could take shine off good news week for Blatter
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It has been a good couple of weeks for Joseph Blatter, FIFA’s veteran President.
First, FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee rejected a proposal that might have limited the presidency’s mandate to two consecutive terms of four years.
World Cup boss denies trying to overthrow SAFA President
March 30 – Irvin Khoza (pictured), the chairman of the organising committee for this year’s World Cup in South Africa, has denied allegations that he is behind a plot to overthrow the President of the South African Football Association (SAFA) Kirsten Nematandani.
Conference on state of Indonesian football opened
March 30 – Indonesia’s President today opened a national football conference reviewing the poor results of the national team and the country’s top football official.
Platini warns Ukraine no Kiev no Euro 2012
March 29 - UEFA President Michel Platini warned today that Ukraine was still in danger of losing the right to host Euro 2012 because of the slow pace of stadium construction and its share of matches moved to Germany.
Mihir Bose: West Ham Olympic Stadium saga is beginning to repeat itself as farce
History may not always repeat itself first as tragedy then as farce, as Karl Marx said, but there are some very curious and interesting similarities in the latest attempt to get West Ham into the Olympic Stadium.
FA chief executive resignation does not affect us claims England 2018
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 27 – England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup will not be affected by the shock resignation of Football Association chief executive Ian Watmore, the bid’s chief executive Andy Anson (pictured) claimed today.
Platini plan would stop rich owners bankrolling Europe’s top clubs
March 27 – English football’s super-rich owners, like Sheikh Mansour at Manchester City and Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, face drastic new curbs on their influence under UEFA proposals, according to a report.
Kroenke edges closer to Arsenal takeover
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March 26 – American Stan Kroenke (pictured) has increased his stake in Arsenal, putting him within 10 shares of the threshold that forces him to make a takeover bid for the Premier League club.
Rodney Marsh: England sometimes play like Bolton so how can they win the World Cup?
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I’ve been reading about and listening to all the “good judges’”- pundits, players and even some managers – who have recently been talking up England’s chances of leaving South Africa with the golden trophy.
Abramovich ready to take up role with Russian Football Union
March 26 – Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has revealed that is prepared to serve on the Russian Football Union’s (RFU) advisory board if he receives a formal invitation, which could see him playing a leading role in the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, his spokesman said today.
England World Cup bid “wows” Bin Hammam and AFC
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 26 – A presentation to the leaders of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Kuala Lumpur by England’s World Cup bid, led by chief executive Andy Anson and International President David Dein and also including former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United winger David Ginola, has won high praise.
Tax break for overseas players at 2011 Wembley Champions League final
March 26 – The British Government has introduced a special resolution in its budget to ensure that players taking part in next year’s Champions League final at Wembley will not be liable to pay tax.