FA hatches plot to oust FIFA supremo Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 – The English Football Association will support any credible rival to FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) when he stands for re-election on June 1.
New Zealand want to play Britain’s Olympic team at Wembley as earthquake fundraiser
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 7 – Britain’s football team could begin its preparations for next year’s Olympics in London with a match against New Zealand at Wembley Stadium in a special fundraising event for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake if a proposal from the President of the Oceania Football Confederation is accepted.
A move to Olympic Park would help resolve Stadium row claim Orient
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 7 – Leyton Orient would be prepared to drop their threatened legal action over West Ham United’s proposed move to the Olympic Stadium if they allowed to move to Eton Manor after London 2012, the club’s chairman Barry Hearn has revealed.
Portuguese teams threatened with expulsion from international football
March 6 – FIFA has told the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) that it must urgently update the status of its clubs, athletes, coaches and associations, or face a ban from international competitions.
A move to Olympic Park would help resolve Stadium row claim Orient
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 6 – Leyton Orient would be prepared to drop their threatened legal action over West Ham United’s proposed move to the Olympic Stadium if they allowed to move to Eton Manor after London 2012, the club’s chairman Barry Hearn has revealed.
“Wales should be in the Olympics in own right” says football chief
By Andrew Warshaw at Celtic Manor
March 5 – The row over an all-British team for the 2012 Olympic football tournament escalated today when the Welsh insisted they would not allow the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey (pictured) to take part.
“Completely ludicrous” for South America to have so many World Cup spots for 2014 blasts Blazer
March 4 – FIFA’s decision to allow South America a possible six slots at the 2014 World Cup has been blasted as “completely ludicrous” by Chuck Blazer, the FIFA Executive committee member from the United States and secretary general of CONCACAF.
Goal-line technology could be introduced for Brazil 2014
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By Andrew Warshaw at Celtic Manor
March 5 – Goal-line technology moved a significant step forward today when football’s lawmakers said it could be in place by the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
Bin Hammam calls for competition for FIFA President
By Andrew Warshaw
March 5 – Mohamed Bin Hammam (pictured right), President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has again hinted he may challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA Presidency, claiming there should be competition for the biggest job in the sport.
England 2018 tried to use Prince Andrew to form World Cup alliance with Qatar
March 4 – England’s failed 2018 football World Cup bid tried to use Prince Andrew’s relationship with the Qatari royal family to secure a voting alliance, it was claimed tonight.
Goal-line technology under the spotlight again
By Andrew Warshaw at Celtic Manor
March 4 – Football’s lawmakers will once again tackle the age-old question of goal-line technology tomorrow in an attempt to finally achieve a breakthrough over one of the most burning issues facing the game.
Government and London Mayor approve West Ham Olympic Stadium move
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 3 – West Ham United’s proposed move into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 was today rubber-stamped by the Government and London Mayor Boris Johnson, meaning that the Premier League club can officially open negotiations.
From north to south for African Youth Championship teams
By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – The first major sporting fallout from the political unrest in Libya has seen South Africa as likely replacements for the north African country as hosts of the Orange African Youth Championship, it was reported today.
Mihir Bose: Have we maligned FIFA or, for that matter, the IOC?
Given how these organisations see themselves as accountable to nobody but themselves, and this in an era when the cry of democracy and transparency cannot even be resisted by Arab despots, this may seem a ridiculous question.
Yet I am inclined to raise it because of how different the Cricket World Cup in India is turning out compared to the Football World Cup in South Africa.
I have been struck by this comparison in the past week as I have travelled in India following the 50-over cricket tournament.
Toure faces ban after failing drugs test
By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure has been suspended by his club Manchester City after failing a drugs test.