£2.5 million boost to England 2018 World Cup bid campaign
By Duncan Mackay
December 19 – England’s 2018 World Cup bid received a massive boost tonight as Gordon Brown’s Government confirmed it is backing the campaign with a £2.5 million loan.
Hughes pays the price for not satisfying Middle East owners
December 19 – Manchester City’s billionaire Middle East owners tonight sacked manager Mark Hughes (pictured) and replaced him with former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini to try to justify their investment in the Premier League club.
Australian rival codes are scared of World Cup claims England bid ambassador
December 19 – Australia’s rival football codes are scared of the country staging the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 because it could sideline them, one of the ambassadors for England’s bid has claimed.
Blazer dismisses complaints Club World Cup favours Europe and South America
December 19 – Chuck Blazer, the chairman of the organising committee for the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, has defended the format of this year’s competition, which was won today by European champions Barcelona.
Extra assistant referee experiment not working claim LMA
By Duncan Mackay
December 19 – The experiment of having an additional assistant referee (AAR) in top international matches has been only a partial success, a review published by the League Managers Association (LMA) has concluded.
Tottenham promise Redknapp support after tax charge
By Duncan Mackay
December 19 – Tottenham Hotspur have promised to support manager Harry Redknapp (pictured) after it was revealed that the taxman is to start proceedings against him next month.
Duncan Mackay: Why I am backing Australia’s World Cup bid
Australia have emerged as serious contenders to host the World Cup, particularly the 2022 tournament, with its high-profile supporters including Franz Beckenbauer, who has spoken on several occasions about how he believes it would be an ideal location to stage the world’s biggest sporting festival.
Opposition to England 2018 World Cup stadium led by top Tory
By Duncan Mackay
December 19 – A major doubt has been cast over Bristol City’s planned new £92 million 44,000 stadium at Ashton Vale only two days after it was chosen to be part of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Sheffield United and Everton angry over World Cup axe
December 18 - Sheffield United and Everton, overlooked to be part of England’s 2018 World Cup bid, have complained about being snubbed.
What makes a football fan? Scientists come up with the answer
December 18 – Following months of data crunching, football boffins have created the first ever fan equation – developing a formula which calculates which team a football fan should support and why.
Hollywood star tells Australia’s World Cup critics not to act like “twits”
By Duncan Mackay
December 18 – Hollywood actor Anthony LaPaglia (pictured right), a former goalkeeper with Adelaide City, has urged the Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) not to act like “twits” and scupper Australia’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
Hull Premier League future in doubt over World Cup snub
December 17 – Hull City’s future as a Premier League club could be threatened by the decision not to include the KC Stadium in England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, the club’s chairman has claimed.
Multi-million pound Champions League riches revealed
By Duncan Mackay
December 18 – Europe’s top football clubs have each earned an average of €50 million (£44.37 million) for reaching the knock-out stage of the UEFA Champions League, according to new research commissioned and released today by official sponsor, MasterCard.
New Zealand club facing axe in Australian row with AFC
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December 18 – New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix could be facing extinction in 2012 after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) demanded they be axed from the A-League.
New Zealand club facing axe in Australian row with AFC
December 18 – New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix could be facing extinction in 2012 after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) demanded they be axed from the A-League.