Mexico 1 Honduras 0
July 2 – The question on the lips of pundits and fans at Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, was “would tonight be business as usual or unusual business?” as Mexico and Honduras met for the right to face the United States in the Concacaf Gold Cup Final on Sunday in Houston.
Spain 5 Portugal 0
July 3 – With an imperious display, world champions Spain waltzed past neighbours Portugal at the Wankdorff Stadion in Bern, winning 5-0 to back up their status as tournament favourites.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – European football’s governing body has called for firm evidence in response to allegations of corruption in the bidding race for Euro 2012.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) has said introducing goal-line technology will lead to “PlayStation football”.
By David Owen in Zurich
October 25 – Michel Zen-Ruffinen (pictured right), the former FIFA general secretary who has emerged as the latest source of explosive allegations in the World Cup bidding race, met the Sunday Times’ undercover reporters “quite a lot of times” over two-and-a-half months, he has told insideworldfootball.
By David Owen in Zurich
October 25 – Agents’ fees could be capped at three per cent under new rules being drawn up by FIFA, world football’s governing body.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
October 24 – A new corruption scandal erupted today when it was claimed that UEFA officials accepted €11 million (£10 million/$15 million) worth of bribes to help Poland and Ukraine win its controversial bid to host the European Championships in 2012.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 23 – The bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups has spiralled out of control tonight after further dramatic revelations in the Sunday Times that named Spain/Portugal and Qatar as allegedly agreeing to trade block votes and quoted a former FIFA boss as saying he knew the names of officials who were willing to take bribes.
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By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Football’s world governing body has ordered the nine contenders bidding to stage the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 not to make contact with the two suspended Executive Committee members while they are under investigation for alleged bribery.
Another weekend approaches. All eyes in this turbulent 2018-22 World Cup bidding war will soon be turning again towards the Sunday Times.
After Wednesday’s dramatic media conference, complete with an appearance by the FIFA President himself, it seems to me this could now go one of three ways.
Scenario Number One: the well-resourced London newspaper unleashes its second volley; more FIFA Executive Committee members are embarrassed/forced to try and defend themselves;
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Amos Adamu (pictured), the Nigerian official provisionally suspended by FIFA over bribery allegations, broke his silence today by insisting he had done nothing wrong.
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By Andrew Warshaw
October 21 – The bid teams of Spain/Portugal and Qatar imposed a total news blackout today as reports named them as the countries being investigated by FIFA as part of the explosive 2018 and 2022 World Cup corruption scandal.
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By Andrew Warshaw
October 20 – The two high-ranking FIFA officials at the heart of the World Cup cash-for-votes scandal were sensationally suspended today following allegations of corruption within football’s world governing body.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 20 - After decades of fierce debate, goal-line technology moved a vital step forward today when football’s lawmakers finally gave the green light to re-consider the issue.
I can still see the look of bemusement on the Brazilian journalist’s face.
It was in London a few years ago – in one of those expensive hotels along Park Lane.
Joseph Blatter, the FIFA President, had just explained the process by which the laws of football can be changed.
“So you mean to say,” the Brazilian journalist asked, still struggling evidently to grasp the enormity of what had been imparted,
By Andrew Warshaw
October 19 – The head of Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid has sought to distance himself from western press reports quoting him as denigrating aspects of society in England – Russia’s main rivals for 2018 – insisting he was misinterpreted.
October 19 - Sole bidder Australia will find out on January 6 whether it has won the right to host Asia’s premier football competition, the AFC Asian Cup 2015.