Fresh FIFA concern over Brazil’s World Cup infrastructure
By David Gold
June 1 – FIFA has expressed fresh concerns over Brazil’s progress in developing its infrastructure sufficiently in time for the 2014 World Cup.
News
Exclusive: Bin Hammam leaves Zurich after legal appeal fails
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
June 1 – Mohamed Bin Hammam, the one-time challenger to Sepp Blatter for the FIFA Presidency before being charged with alleged serious bribery, flew out of here today a few hours before his rival was about to be appointed for a fourth and final term.
Germany want investigation into Qatar 2022 bid campaign
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
June 1 – Germany has called for the circumstances that led to Qatar being awarded the 2022 World Cup to be investigated as the controversy surrounding the decision to award the tournament to the tiny Gulf state refuses to subside.
Jack Warner ally tries to fire FIFA whistleblower
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 31 – Chuck Blazer, the prominent FIFA official who blew the whistle on the biggest bribery scandal in its history, faced a battle to keep his position as general secretary of the CONCACAF Confederation tonight as the crisis at the heart of the world governing body took a farcical turn.
FIFA lifts Bosnia’s international suspension
By David Gold
May 31 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has taken a break from defending world football’s governing body from public criticism and bribery allegations to confirm that Bosnia has had a suspension preventing it from competing in international football lifted.
France confirms venues for 2016 European Championships
By David Gold
May 31 – St. Etienne and Toulouse missed out as the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the nine cities to host games during the 2016 European Championships, which will include new stadiums in Lille and Lyon.
CONCACAF’s football qualifying tournament for London 2012 confirmed for Vancouver next January
By David Gold
May 31 – CONCACAF has confirmed that the women’s football qualifying tournament for the London 2012 Olympic Games will take place at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver from January 19 until 29 next year.
“Did I say Qatar 2022 bribed people to get World Cup”? – I didn’t mean it, says Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke insisted today that he had never accused Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam of buying the 2022 World Cup and categorically stood his ground after becoming embroiled in the ongoing bribery scandal.
West Brom ditch Umbro for Adidas kit deal
By David Gold
May 30 – West Bromwich Albion have penned their biggest ever kit deal by opting to sign a new agreement with Adidas rather than Umbro.
FIFA general secretary under threat after explosive Qatar 2022 bribe allegations
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke’s position was unexpectedly plunged into severe danger·today·when he admitted that a damaging email he sent suggesting the 2022 World Cup was bought was genuine.
Triesman England 2018 allegations unproven concludes FA report
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – The four Executive Committee members, including Trinidad’s Jack Warner, accused by the former chairman of England’s 2018 World Cup bid chairman David Triesman of seeking sweeteners have been cleared by an independent report commissioned by the Football Association, FIFA disclosed today.
Premier League confirm Kroenke’s Arsenal takeover
By David Gold
May 28 – Stan Kroenke’s takeover of Arsenal has been confirmed by the Premier League, and shareholders wishing to take up his offer for their shares have 14 days to accept.
Wembley Champions League final will be the most lucrative on record
By Andrew Warshaw
May 27 – The phenomenal pull of the Champions League was brought into sharp focus today when it was revealed that tomorrow’s glamour final between Manchester United and Barcelona will be the richest on record.
Bin Hammam issues strongly worded defence of his conduct in FIFA Presidential race
By Andrew Warshaw
May 27 – FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam today rejected all the evidence against him as “without substance” and has repeated his assertion that the opposing camp are out to smear him.
FIFA Presidential election may be postponed following Blatter investigation
By Andrew Warshaw
May 27 – Next week’s FIFA Presidential election was plunged into total farce today when Sepp Blatter himself was dragged into the biggest bribery scandal ever to hit the organisation.