Morocco for 2015 African Nations Cup, South Africa 2017
January 29 – Morocco was today awarded the 2015 African Cup of Nations, defeating its only rivals South Africa, who will stage the 2017 tournament.
Qatar won the World Cup and Qatar will stage World Cup vows angry bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw
January 29 – The row over the Qatar 2022 World Cup looks set to escalate after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohamed bin Hammam (pictured) rejected UEFA President Michel Platini’s suggestion that the tournament should be spread across the entire region.
Ukraine given week to resolve row or face suspension
January 28 – Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine have been given a week to resolve a row over Government interference or be banned from international football, UEFA warned today.
German President unopposed to replace Beckenbauer on FIFA Executive Committee
January 28 – German football federation (DFB) President Theo Zwanziger (pictured) will be unopposed to fill the place on the FIFA ruling Executive Committee created by the decision of Franz Beckenbauer to step down.
Blatter pre-empts challenge to Presidency with $300,000 for every FIFA federation
By Andrew Warshaw
January 28 – Sepp Blatter (pictured) has made a potentially significant pre-emptive strike in his bid to hold on to the FIFA Presidency by donating to every federation an extra $300,000 (£189,000) as a share of profits from the 2010 World Cup.
Alan Hubbard: McMenemy’s treatment would try the patience of a Saint
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Funny game football, they say, Except that no one is laughing at the moment.
What with the sexist piggery at Sky, the sordid squabbling over who kicks off at the Olympic Stadium after 2012, the ineptitude of those who run the game, the ever-escalating greed-is-good philosophy of the Premier League and those who play in it, you would think it would be a total turn-off by now.
But perversely, the public continue to turn on.
England lose another bid as Israel awarded European Under-21 Championships
January 27 – England and Wales have lost their rival bids to host the 2013 European Under-21 Championships after UEFA today chose Israel to stage the tournament.
West Ham unveil images of Olympic Stadium post-London 2012
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 27 – More than 50 MPs have signed their support for the West Ham United and Newham Council joint bid to take over the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after London 2012 as the Premier League club unveiled how it would look if their campaign is successful.
New FA chairman to head search for Capello successor
January 27 – The Football Association’s new chairman David Bernstein will play the leading role in finding Fabio Capello’s successor after it was announced he is to take over as chairman of Club England.
I’ve been asked to take on Blatter – and I’m not the only one, claims Bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw
January 26 – Yet another twist has emerged in the FIFA Presidential election later this year with the President of the Asian Football Confederation, Mohammed Bin Hammam, revealing he has been asked to stand against Sepp Blatter to lead football’s world governing body.
We can’t air condition the beaches and the streets in Qatar, warns Platini
By Andrew Warshaw
January 26 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) has re-iterated his idea of playing the Qatar 2022 World Cup in several Gulf countries for the good of the entire area.
Tottenham’s Olympic Stadium bid “will stand the test of time” claims leading AEG Europe executive
By Andrew Warshaw
January 26 – The global entertainments group backing Tottenham Hotspur’s controversial plans to take over the Olympic Stadium after 2012 today went public for the first time over why they have decided to partner the Premiership club.
Ukraine threatened with FIFA ban and missing Euro 2012
January 26 – FIFA has warned Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine that it risks suspension if the country’s football federation (FFU) replaces its current management, including President Hrigory Surkis (pictured right), according to a letter from FIFA.
Qatar’s Al Jazeera Sport first broadcaster to sign 2018 and 2022 World Cup deals
January 26 – FIFA has signed its first broadcasting contract for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups with Qatar-based Al Jazeera Sport, football’s world governing body announced today.
African Nations Cup decision postponed
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January 26 – A decision on which country’s will host the 2015 and 2017 African Nations Cup has been put back to 24 hours, it has been announced.