.jpg)
January 7 – Wimbledon supporters are threatening to take the row over the choice of Milton Keynes as a venue for the 2018 World Cup if England’s bid is successful to world governing body FIFA.
By Duncan Mackay
January 7 – Sheffied City Council today denied accusations from Sheffield United that they favoured a planning application from local rivals Sheffield Wednesday over them to help them be chosen as venue for the 2018 World Cup if England’s bid to host the tournament.
January 6 – Raymond Hack (pictured) has resigned as chief executive of the South African Football Association (SAFA) less than six months before the World Cup in the continuing fall-out from the battle for power in the domestic game.
By Duncan Mackay
January 5 – Landon Donovan (pictured), the United States best known player and a club-mate of David Beckham’s at Los Angeles Galaxy, tonight warned that Major League Soccer is heading for a lockout when the organisation’s five-year labour contract expires at the end of this month.
January 5 – Television entered a new dimension today as United States sports broadcaster ESPN said it will show some matches from this year’s World Cup live from South Africa in 3D.
By Duncan Mackay
January 5- Seattle is currently heading a poll of United Sates cities that should host matches if the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup is successful, ahead of Atlanta and Houston.
.jpg){kind=spacer}
January 4 – Sheffield United have started taking legal action over the controversial decision to choose the stadium of their greatest rivals, Sheffield Wednesday, as a host venue for the 2018 World Cup if England’s bid is successful ahead of their own Bramall Lane (pictured).
January 4 – Academy Award-nominated director Spike Lee (pictured) is the latest eye-catching name to lend their support to the United States bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, taking his place alongside the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Drew Carey and Henry Kissinger on the Board of directors.
By Duncan Mackay
January 4 – Indonesia remains confident of the country’s Government backing its bid to host the 2022 World Cup, officials there claimed today.
.jpg)
By Duncan Mackay
January 3 – Worawi Makudi (pictured), the President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), has abandoned plans to try to persuade England to play a friendly in Bangkok during their build-up to this year’s World Cup.
January 3 – A senior delegation from Qatar’s 2022 World Cup Bid Committee flew to Saudi Arabia for the testimonial match of Nawaf al-Temyat between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal Club and Italian champions Inter Milan, who are managed by Jose Mourinho, at the King Fahd international stadium.
By Duncan Mackay
January 3 – David Beckham (pictured) has warned that England must not be arrogant and believe that they are more deserving of hosting the 2018 World Cup than any of its rivals because of its tradition and the worldwide appeal of the Premier League.
.jpg)
By Duncan Mackay
January 2 – Construction on a new multi-million pound 60,000-capacity stadium to replace Anfield is expected to begin in April, the Leader of Liverpool City Council has claimed.
By Duncan Mackay
January 2 – Bristol City have dropped plans to build a housing estate in the shadow of their new £92 million 44,000-capacity stadium at Ashton Vale in the hope that the scheme will get the go-ahead so that they can host matches if England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup is successful.
January 2 – A Manchester MP has claimed that taxpayers should not have to pay anything towards the city hosting World Cup matches if England’s bid to stage the tournament in 2018 is successful.