Brazilian riot raises safety concerns for 2014 World Cup
By David Gold
July 25 – A riot in a São Paulo derby between Guarani and Ponte Preta has raised fresh doubts on Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
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Fenerbahçe chairman denies involvement in match-fixing
By David Gold
July 22 – Fenerbahçe chairman Aziz Yıldırım has denied to a court any involvement in the match fixing scandal engulfing Turkish football and has also told the club’s fans that he would be stepping down from his post after the conclusion of the issue.
FIFA to trial goal-line technology systems
By David Gold
July 22 – FIFA has announced that nine different goal-line technology systems are set to be trialled between September and December by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials, Science and Technology.
Vinci gets go ahead for Bordeaux Stadium
By David Gold
July 22 – Mayor of Bordeaux Alain Juppé has announced that the Vinci Concession and Fayat architectural group has won the right to construct a new stadium in the city, which will host games at the 2016 European Championships.
Women’s World Cup final draws in a sell-out crowd as popularity of the sport soars
By David Gold
July 22 – The popularity of the Women’s World Cup, which concluded last Sunday (July 17) with Japan’s dramatic penalty shoot out win against the United States, was demonstrated by provisional profit figures and the success of MATCH Hospitality in selling 28,000 commercial hospitality packages for the tournament.
Poland completes Euro 2012 stadium with just under a year to go
By David Gold
July 22 – Poland has completed construction on the stadium in Gdansk which is set to host games during next year’s European Championships, that are being jointly co-hosted with Ukraine.
Fulham take Dave Richards case to Supreme Court
By David Gold
July 22 – Fulham are taking their case to have Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards’ removed from his role over alleged involvement the transfer of then Portsmouth forward Peter Crouch to Tottenham Hotspur in 2009 to the Supreme Court, the club has confirmed.
Brazil will be ready for World Cup, claims Sports Minister
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Brazil’s Sports Minister Orlando Silva has attempted to dismiss fears surrounding the country’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup by insisting that all 12 stadia will be completed by the end of 2013.
Bin Hammam slams FIFA on eve of trial
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Suspended Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam has come out fighting ahead of his showdown with FIFA’s Ethics Committee by repeating assertions of a concerted campaign to prove him guilty prematurely.
Juventus launch petition to strip Inter of Scudetto
By David Gold
July 20 – Juventus have said they intend to pursue their petition to have Inter Milan’s 2006 Serie A title taken away after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) ruled that it did not have the authority to make such a ruling.
Goal-line technology could be a reality by 2012, hopes Scudamore
By Andrew Warshaw
July 20 – Goal-line technology could be introduced in the Premier League at the start of the 2012-13 season according to chief executive Richard Scudamore – but only if approved by FIFA.
Japan target adding London 2012 Olympic gold to World Cup title
By Andrew Warshaw
July 19 – Japan’s women footballers are aiming for gold at next year’s London Olympics after their historic World Cup victory in Germany.
Singaporean jailed over Finland match fixing scandal
By David Gold
July 19 – Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal has been sentenced to two years in prison by a Finnish court for his role in a match fixing scandal in the country, while nine players have been spared jail and instead were handed suspended sentences for their part in the affair.
Blažević quits as head of Chinese under-23 team after Olympic blow
By Emily Goddard
July 19 – Veteran coach Miroslav Blažević has said he will leave his post as manager of the Chinese under-23 football team before the end of the year following the team’s failure to qualify for next year’s London Olympic Games.
Banned African powerbrokers still operating as CAF officials
By Andrew Warshaw
July 19 – World football’s governing body has been plunged into yet more infamy with the revelation that two suspended African powerbrokers are still involved in the game despite being barred from all footballing activities.