Anti-corruption guru Mark Pieth to lead FIFA reforms
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – A Swiss anti-corruption expert has emerged as the key player in FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s quest to rid the organisation of sleaze and scandal.
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Warrant issued for arrest of Portsmouth’s Russian owners
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – A European arrest warrant has been issued by Lithuanian prosecutors for the Russian owner of troubled English Championship club Portsmouth.
FIFA vice-president Al Hussein to review hijab rule at Executive Committee meeting
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – FIFA’s youngest Executive Committee member, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, has been mandated by his Confederation to press for women footballers being allowed to wear the hijab, the Islamic headscarf.
Jordaan eyes up top role at COSAFA
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – Danny Jordaan, organiser of last year’s World Cup in South Africa, is targeting the Presidency of the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) as he bids to re-enter football administration after a year out of the limelight.
Malaysia to host London 2012 qualifying tournament
By David Gold
November 23 – Malaysia will host the final stage of the Asian men’s football qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in March next year, following a decision made at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee.
Blatter calls for changes to MLS calendar
By David Gold
November 22 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) believes that the American Major League Soccer (MLS) calendar should be aligned with the main European leagues, so that the domestic season is played from autumn to spring.
“This matter is over,” says Blatter as he draws line under racism row
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today attempted to close the book on the recent racism in football row, insisting he was not a racist and was determined to move forward with his oft-stated policy of zero tolerance.
Johan Cruyff and Edgar Davids play down race row
By David Gold
November 22 – Former Ajax legends Johan Cruyff (pictured) and Edgar Davids, now both members of the club’s Supervisory Board, have played down a race row which emerged this week, but doubts persist over the former’s future at the Dutch champions.
“I’d love to play in the Olympics,” says Joe Cole
By David Gold
November 18 – Lille midfielder Joe Cole has said that he would “love to play in the Olympics” if selected by Team GB manager Stuart Pearce.
Sarkozy’s secret meetings to encourage Qatari investment in PSG
By David Gold
November 22 – French President Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured left) held a secret meeting with Qatar’s Crown Prince Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani (right) in which he encouraged the gulf state to invest in French football and purchase the then financially troubled Paris St Germain, it has been claimed.
Indian League has made progress since AFC stepped in, says Zhang Jilong
By David Gold
November 21 – Zhang Jilong (pictured), the acting President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has claimed that Indian football is making progress, at a meeting of an Ad Hoc Committee created to improve the state of the game in the country.
Ukraine to develop high speed travels links for Euro 2012
By David Gold
November 21 – Ukraine will focus on introducing high speed travel links between host cities of the 2012 European Championships in the months remaining before the tournament begins, the country’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Borys Kolesnikov (pictured) has said.
Exclusive: British FIFA vice-president defends Sepp Blatter’s “unfortunate” comments
By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – Britain’s FIFA vice-president insisted today that Sepp Blatter (pictured right) is not a racist and said he was “pleased” with Blatter’s attempt to rectify the situation following the outrage that accompanied his statement that racist incidents on the field should be settled with a handshake.
“Substantially improved terms” sees SPL extend deal with Sky and ESPN
By David Gold
November 21 – The Scottish Premier League (SPL) has signed a five year extension to their current television deal with Sky Sports and ESPN to show live games, on what SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster (pictured) claims are “substantially improved terms”.
Former Prime Minister to appeal against FIFA ban
By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – Former Dominica Prime Minister Patrick John is appealing FIFA’s decision to ban him for two years for his role in the cash-for-votes scandal last May.