Henry’s popularity undented by Irish handball
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January 2 – Thierry Henry’s notorious handball offence against Ireland has done little to diminish his popularity among French sports fans.
Manchester MP hits out at cost of hosting World Cup matches
January 2 – A Manchester MP has claimed that taxpayers should not have to pay anything towards the city hosting World Cup matches if England’s bid to stage the tournament in 2018 is successful.
AFC Wimbledon fans launch protest against Milton Keynes World Cup inclusion
By Duncan Mackay
January 2 – AFC Wimbledon fans have started an on-line petition on the Downing Street website to protest about Milton Keynes’ inclusion as a venue for the 2018 World Cup if England’s bid is successful.
Crisis talks after Portsmouth fail to pay players’ wages again
January 1 – Portsmouth officials will meet with Nick Cusack, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), on Monday after the players’ wages went unpaid for a third time this season.
Andrew Warshaw: A look back at how football has changed in the noughties
Ask football fans across the major leagues to name the biggest change of the last ten years and one word stands out: money.
Former Hearts and Scottish rugby chief executive headhunted by Man City owner
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December 31 - Phil Anderton (pictured), the former chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) and Heart of Midlothian, has been headhunted by Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to be the head of Al-Jazira, his Abu Dhabi football club.
USSF refuse to sanction second-tier leagues
December 30 – The Board of directors for the US Soccer Federation (USSF) has voted unanimously not to sanction the United Soccer League (USL) or the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2010.
Portsmouth facing threat of bankruptcy after winding up petition
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December 30 – Premier League strugglers Portsmouth, who won the FA Cup last year, have been issued with a winding up petition by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and could be the first Premier League club forced into bankruptcy.
Abramovich wipes out £340 million Chelsea debt
December 30 – Roman Abramovich (pictured) has effectively written off the club’s £340 million debts to help the Premier League club comply with future UEFA financial controls.
South Africans need to embrace World Cup says Jordaan
December 30 – The South African public must show more enthusiasm for the 2010 World Cup in their country, chief executive Danny Jordaan said today.
Stadium contractor for Euro 2012 fired in Poland
December 30 – Wroclaw, one of four Polish cities due to host the 2012 European Championships, today scrapped a stadium construction deal with Mostostal Warszawa, Mayor Rafal Dutkiewicz said.
Fenerbahce angry over Euro 2016 snub
December 29 – Fenerbahce today hit out at the exclusion of its Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium from Turkey’s bid to host the 2016 European Championships.
Real Madrid deny Manchester City owner wants to buy them
December 29 – Real Madrid has denied that Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour (pictured) made a €1 billion (£902 million) offer to buy the Spanish club.
Indonesia World Cup bid may be scrapped
By Duncan Mackay
December 29 – Indonesia may be forced to withdraw its bid to host the 2022 World Cup unless it can persuade the Government to back it, the chairman of the country’s Football Association has admitted.
Silencer of Maracana immortalised on sidewalk
December 29 – Alcides Ghiggia (pictured), whose goal for Uruguay stunned spectators at the Maracana Stadium in the 1950 World Cup against Brazil, has been immortalised at the stadium’s sidewalk of fame.