As I start to write this piece, England’s footballers are about to engage in their latest bid to end 30 years of hurt - sorry, make that 44 years, forgot to add the 14 since the European Championships ended with that penalty shoot-out at Wembley against let’s move on - and their prospects are as boundless as a blank page. Southgate. Why couldn’t he just blast it?
So we’re all at it again. Hoping.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 11 – A panel of legal experts have been appointed by the Trinidad and Tobago Government to advise them on whether FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (pictured) should be allowed to combine his football roles with his position as the country’s Minister of Works and Transport.
By David Owen at Soccer City, Johannesburg
June 11 - We have lift-off. Finally, at 3.55pm local time, the moment an entire continent had been waiting for: Jacob Zuma, South African President, declared the “African World Cup” open.
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Football World Cups are like political elections. Just as politicians promise the earth when they want power, so a World Cup is preceded by extravagant promises by the organisers that rarely materialise.
Will South Africa be any different?
It will and it will not.
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June 10 - David Beckham was again the attraction at the 60th FIFA Congress today as he once again lent his weight to England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup, including meeting with UEFA President Michel Platini.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 10 – Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa to make his first formal appearance in Russia’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup, lobbying against England even though he is the owner of Premier League champions Chelsea.
By David Owen in Johannesburg
June 10 – Australia tonight announced that it was pulling out of the race to host the 2018 World Cup to concentrate on its efforts to stage the 2022 competition.
June 10 – FIFA will keep an age limit of 23 with three over-age players permitted per team for the London 2012 Olympic football tournament despite the threat of legal challenges from clubs, raising the possibility that Wayne Rooney (pictured) could represent Britain, Lionel Messi Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal.
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 10 – Any chance of a challenge to Sepp Blatter’s authority as FIFA President were swept away today when he confirmed he will stand for re-election for an unprecedented fourth term - and would not rule out a fifth.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Asia will support Europe’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, even though one of its members is campaigning to host the tournament that year, President Mohamed Bin Hammam announced today.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Australia is emerging as the leading contender to host the 2022 World Cup, the bid’s head Frank Lowy (pictured) has claimed.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA, has again publicly praised Jack Warner as pressure mounts on him in Trinidad and Tobago to step down from his roles in football to concentrate on his new position in there Government there.
They were the kind of images FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his right-hand man, South Africa 2010 organising committee chief Danny Jordaan, least wanted to witness.
“World sees our soccer shame,” trumpeted the front page of Johannesburg’s main newspaper above several gruesome images.
One a terrified child, another a blood-stained fan with one eye half-closed; a third a frightening melee of confused supporters trying to find their feet after crashing into a gate.
June 8 – Actress Charlize Theron is supporting Brad Pitt’s bid to see the US host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
By Tom Degun in London
June 8 – A group of experts today told the London Assembly’s Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee that Premier League West Ham United are the obvious candidates to provide the most economically viable future for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium post-Games in the midst of a recession.