Russia begins drawing up multi-billion dollar infrastructure plan for 2018 World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
December 4 – A massive infrastructure project has been launched in Russia to ensure that the country is ready to host the 2018 World Cup.
Archive
Scottish leagues to be revamped to boost revenue and attendances
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – A revolutionary blueprint has been agreed to revive Scottish football and make it more meaningful and competitive.
Eritrean players disappear to seek asylum in Uganda
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – As many as 18 Eritrean players are understood to be considering seeking asylum in Uganda after disappearing while playing in a regional tournament.
Park hit with ban and fine following London 2012 political protest
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – South Korea’s Park Jong-Woo, whose political protest sparked a diplomatic row with Japan at the London 2012 Olympics, has been banned for two games by FIFA and fined 3,500 Swiss francs (£2,400/$3,800/€2,900), football’s world governing body said today.
Cross-continent Euro 2020 “destroys spirit of the competition” says Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke has poured scorn on Michel Platini’s revolutionary plan to stage the UEFA European Championship finals in 2020 across 12 different countries.
Malaga face UEFA sanctions over unpaid players’ wages
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – Despite being owned by Qatari investors and performing impressively in the Champions League, Malaga are facing UEFA sanctions for failing to pay millions of euros of players’ wages on time.
Anouma to challenge Hayatou for African football Presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – The battle to take control of African football has taken a significant new twist with the announcement that the Ivory Coast is planning to nominate Jacques Anouma to stand against Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou in next March’s elections in Morocco.
Protests in Rio de Janeiro over privatisation of Maracanã
By Duncan Mackay
December 1 – A protest march has been held against the privatisation of Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium, which is currently being redeveloped for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.
Manaus warned it risks being cut as World Cup venue as Valcke demands it speeds up
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – Considerable work still needs to be done to bring Brazil up to speed for both next summer’s Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, according to FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke.
Exclusive: AFC officials throw out proposed ethics task force
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – Reformers within Asian football have been left shocked and disappointed after their campaign to heal deep-rooted rifts and crack down on corruption was dismissed by the Continent’s top brass.
Zenit St Petersburg take sanction appeal to CAS
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – In a rare move, Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg are going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the Russian Football Union (RFU) turned down their appeal against being punished following serious crowd trouble at the recent domestic fixture at Dynamo Moscow.
Scotland reiterates interest in Euro 2020 finals
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – Scotland has reiterated its interest in playing a part in the 2020 European Championship finals after representatives attended a UEFA summit in Dublin.
Beckham tipped for move to Monaco
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – David Beckham, one of the icons of his generation, has been heavily linked with a career-ending move to French club Monaco as he prepares to round off his time with LA Galaxy in the United States.
Shakhtar’s Adriano hit with match ban after unsporting goal
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – One of the most bizarre instances of bad sportsmanship has been punished by UEFA with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Luiz Adriano handed a one-match ban.
CAS investigating African football’s Presidential vote rules
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – The power struggle to determine who can and who can’t challenge for the top job in African football is being taken all the way to sport’s highest court of law, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).