English clubs rewarded for European failure
By David Owen
August 25 – Four of the seven biggest earners from the two major European cross-continental club football competitions last season were English.
News
Sir Alex Ferguson backs England 2018 as FIFA inspectors head north
By Andrew Warshaw in London
August 24 - FIFA’s 2018 World Cup inspection team headed north today as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson became the latest figure to pledge his support to the England bid.
Government gaffes give England 2018 rivals advantage
By Andrew Warshaw in London
August 23 – Arsenal’s international Russian striker Andrei Arshavin has hit back at claims by Sports Minister Hugh Robertson that the Eastern European country is lagging behind England for the right to stage the 2018 World Cup.
England World Cup bid is unbeatable claims Deputy Prime Minister
By Andrew Warshaw in London
August 23 – British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg laid down the gauntlet to England’s 2018 World Cup rivals today by describing the English bid as “unbeatable” in his welcoming address to the FIFA inspection team.
England is a better football bid than Russia, says Sports Minister
By Andrew Warshaw in London
August 23 – Sports Minister Hugh Robertson insists England have by far the strongest case for staging the 2018 World Cup and says the absence of Prime Minister David Cameron during the all-important FIFA technical visit will have no negative impact on the country’s chances.
Exclusive: World Cup in England would be easiest to organise admits Blatter
By Duncan Mackay in Singapore
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 23 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has given England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup a massive boost by admitting that staging the tournament there presents the least risks.
England 2018 prepare for most critical phase of bid
By Andrew Warshaw in London
August 23 – England;s 2018 World Cup bid enters its most critical phase today when FIFA’s technical team arrives for a four-day inspection of the country’s facilities.
England 2018 announce cities FIFA inspectors to visit
By Andrew Warshaw in London
August 21 – England 2018 bid officials have chosen Manchester, Sunderland, Newcastle and London as candidate cities to host the FIFA inspection team when the eagerly awaited visit gets under way on Monday (August 23).
England 2018 officially unveil Paul the Octopus as ambassador
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By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – Paul the Octopus, who became internationally famous for correctly predicting results during the World Cup, has become the latest global figure to back England’s bid to host the 2018 tournament – though this time as an ambassador, as reported first on insideworldfootball last month.
MLS could learn from Indian cricket admits Gulati
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 20 – Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States could pick-up a few lessons from cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL), the head of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has claimed.
FA retain control of England team
August 19 – The Football Association will continue to have overall ultimate responsibility on major issues concerning the national team after confirmation of the role of Club England was discussed at a Board meeting today.
West Ham: We offer a natural and logical solution
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By Duncan Mackay
British Sport Internet Writer of the Year
August 19 – West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady today claimed that if the Olympic Stadium becomes their new ground after the London 2012 Games then it would guarantee the legacy of the whole surrounding area.
FIFA winds up 2018 World Cup inspection tour of Russia
By Andrew Warshaw
August 19 – FIFA’s 2018 World Cup inspection team completed its fact-finding tour of Russia today after repeated assurances the country would be ready to host football’s flagship tournament in eight years’ time.
Beckham leads “Back the Bid” campaign for England 2018
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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 19 – David Beckham today launched a campaign urging English football fans to show their support for the country’s bid for the 2018 World Cup by getting involved in events aimed at impressing a FIFA inspection team when it visits next week.
Exclusive: FIFA budget $16 million for 2012 Olympics
By David Owen
August 19 – FIFA is budgeting $16 million (£10.2 million) for the next Olympic football tournament, to be staged in Great Britain in 2012.