Kroenke close to Arsenal takeover after buying more shares
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December 21 – Stan Kroenke (pictured) has bought a further 25 Arsenal shares and the American businessman is now only 17 shares from being required to make a full takeover bid.
Nottingham World Cup stadium opponents vow to fight on
December 21 – Opponents of Nottingham’s new 45,000-capacity stadium earmarked to host World Cup matches if England’s bid to host stage the 2018 World Cup is successful have promised that they will not stop their campaign.
FA reveal 16 clubs applied for Women’s Super League
December 21 – Sixteen clubs have applied to the Football Association to become part of the new FA Women’s Super League, that is due to launch in March 2011, they announced today.
Mihir Bose: The World Cup has always been more than just about football
So you thought hosting the World Cup was just a series of (possibly) great football matches? Think again. FIFA has made it clear to all countries bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups that they must agree to a host of conditions which seem far removed from the beautiful game.
Abramovich deputy pulls out of race for Russian FA top job
By Duncan Mackay
December 21 – Sergei Kapkov, a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who had been expected to run to become the new President of the Russian Football Association has ruled himself out of the job which could alert clubs chasing the country’s coach Guus Hiddink (pictured).
Ipswich to turn to Olympics for coaching help
By Duncan Mackay
December 20 – Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane (pictured) is to send some of his training staff to work with Britain’s leading Olympic coaches in the hope of picking up some tips that will help the club return to the Premier League.
£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.