Bulgaria and Romania announce plan for joint Euro 2020 bid
By David Gold
March 24 – Bulgaria and Romania have confirmed their intention to apply to jointly host the 2020 European Championships.
La Liga strike planned for start of April
By David Gold
March 24 – La Liga games on the weekend of April 2/3 could be postponed if the Spanish professional soccer league (LPF) fails to resolve its dispute with the Government over a ruling that a La Liga game per matchday must be shown on free to air television.
Exclusive: Blatter – “I need four more years to complete my mission”
By Duncan Mackay in Paris
March 23 – Sepp Blatter has claimed that he needs four more years as FIFA President to finish his “mission”, which involves using football as a force for good in society and helping develop the sport in the less wealthy countries around the world.
Exclusive: FIFA vice-president determined to find solution to Team GB London 2012 row
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
March 23 – Britain’s new FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce says there is still time to persuade the four national Home Associations to provide players for a unified team at the 2012 London Olympics.
Quieroz wins appeal against ban
By David Gold
March 23 – Carlos Queiroz’s appeal against six month ban from all football and sporting activities has been successful, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced.
Mihir Bose: Blatter and Bin Hammam chances rest on who can claim credit for the Goal Project
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The FIFA Presidential election will turn on two words: Goal Project.
This was Sepp Blatter’s great idea, energetically pushed by him ever since he got elected as President. But, and this is crucial, it was run by Mohammed Bin Hammam. The Qatari can win if, through his stewardship of the project, he has built such support in FIFA that he can undercut Blatter, particularly in the small organisations round. It is a big if.
Football Supporters’ Federation launch petition for safe standing
By David Gold
March 23 – The Football Supporters’ Federation today launched their petition to give supporters the choice to watch football games from a safe standing area at stadiums in England and Wales.
Watmore wants restructuring of Football Association
By David Gold
March 22 – Ian Watmore, the former chief executive of the Football Association, has criticised the organisation and called for it to be restructured under the guidance of an independent board.
Usmanov raises stakes in Arsenal boardroom battle
By David Gold
March 22 – Alisher Usmanov has increased his stake in Arsenal to over 27 per cent to raise the possibility that his company Red & White Holdings Limited may make a move to buy the Premier League club outright.
Platini warns Serbia and Croatia “zero tolerance” on hooliganism
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
March 22 – Michel Platini began his second term in charge of UEFA today by launching a savage attack on the re-emergence of football hooliganism, saying he was “sick” of what was going on some parts of the continent.
FIFA announces record profits
By David Gold
March 22 – FIFA has revealed a record $631 million ($378 million) surplus over the last four years, with total revenue topping $4 billion (£2.4 billion), representing a 59 per cent increase on the previous four-year period.
Manchester United make multi-million pound loss
March 22 – Manchester United’s owners made a loss of £108.9 million ($178.4 million) last year, their accounts revealed when they were released today.
UEFA to have woman on Executive Committee
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
March 22 – It came right at the end of end of his address to the great and good of European football and could easily have been construed as a throwaway line.
TV rights for international matches taken over by UEFA
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
March 22 – Broadcasting rights for all competitive games involving European countries are being taken over by UEFA – starting with the qualifiers for Euro 2016 in France.
South American President set to remain in role for four more years
March 22 – Nicolas Leoz is set to remain as head of CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, after the continent’s ten members backed him unanimously.