July 9 – England manager Sarina Wiegman has downplayed the consequences of defeat against the Netherlands, but England are starring down the barrel in a must-win game.
By David Owen
November 25 – A World Cup in Australia would offer FIFA and its partners “huge economic and financial opportunities”, the country’s bid has claimed, as the contest for the 2022 World Cup turned into a statistical battleground.
Should England not win the 2018 World Cup, and that must be considered a possibility, then I suggest the starting point for the post-mortem should be a thin orange and blue FIFA booklet called the Committees Directory 2110. This lists the people who sit on the various FIFA committees.
These committees are the powerhouse of the organisation. They range from World Cup organisation, to referee administration, the technical development of the game, player status,
By Tom Degun
November 25 – Tottenham Hotspur have had their plans to redevelop White Hart Lane approved by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
By David Owen
November 25 – FIFA has announced the extension of its top tier sponsorship deal with Hyundai-Kia, the South Korean automotive group, by eight years, through to 2022.
By Mike Rowbottom
November 25 – Tottenham Hotspur fans are planning a mass protest against the club’s possible move from White Hart Lane – their home for the last 111 years – to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after the London 2012 Games are over.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – The credibility of world football’s governing body was rocked by yet another twist to the ongoing corruption scandal today when it emerged that suspended Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) President Reynald Temarii is likely to waive his right of appeal in order to be replaced for the two secret ballots on December 2.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has renewed his attack on the forthcoming BBC Panorama investigation into World Cup bidding, warning the broadcast will have “negative fall-out” for England’s World Cup bid.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – Qatar is stepping up its public relations machine ahead of next week’s 2022 World Cup vote with a flurry of activities and statements showcasing the country’s facilities and legacy.
By Mike Rowbottom in London
November 24 – Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chairman of London 2012 and Tottenham director, has insisted that West Ham United are in pole position to take over the Olympic Stadium – but only if their bid “stacks up economically”.
By David Owen
November 24 – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has called a meeting of its Executive Committee on Saturday (November 27), amid growing expectations that moves may be made to ensure the region retains a say in where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are played.
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As we approach the final week of the contest to decide where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be played, in just the last day or so it has emerged that:
● British Prime Minister David Cameron is to spend the best part of three days in Zurich, lobbying for the England 2018 bid. This after inviting Jack Warner, one of the most influential FIFA Executive Committee members, to lunch.
● Russia’s Government are making final plans for a visit to the Swiss city by Vladimir Putin,
By Duncan Mackay in Rio de Janeiro
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
November 23 – Russia’s Government are making final plans for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to travel to Zurich next week to support the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup – putting an end to doubts over whether he would make the trip.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – The head of Spain/Portugal’s World Cup 2018 bid says he is confident of getting at least eight votes when the ballot takes place next week for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
November 23 – F1 racing legend Frank Williams has accelerated the development of his interests in Qatar by giving his support to the country’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – Jack Warner, FIFA’s longest serving vice-president, has described as “stupid” a forthcoming BBC investigation into World Cup bidding.