USA name cities for World Cup bid
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By Duncan Mackay
January 12 – The United States today announced the 18 cities that could host matches if the country’s bid to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022 is successful.
World Cup
Closing National Football Musuem could harm England World Cup bid it is claimed
January 12 - Closing the National Football Museum in Preston could damage England’s World Cup bid for 2018, it has been claimed.
Manchester United trip to Doha showcases Qatar facilities
By Duncan Mackay
January 12 – The standard of Qatar’s facilities have received a ringing endorsement after Premier League champions Manchester United, including Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand (pictured), flew to Doha for a four-day training trip to avoid the snowy weather in England that has wreaked such havoc.
Russia sign up auditors who helped Sochi win 2014 Olympics to World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
January 11 – Russia tonight announced BDO, part of the world’s fifth-large global network of independent auditors and a company which worked on Sochi’s successful campaign to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, as a supporter of their bid to host the 2018-2022 World Cup.
Exclusive: England 2018 had fresh initiative lined up
By Andrew Warshaw
January 10 – England’s 2018 bid team had prepared a fresh presentation to be delivered to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Angola later this month but were denied the opportunity after Qatar signed an exclusive sponsorship deal, insideworldfootball has learned.
Jordaan accuses world of double standards after Togo attack
By Andrew Warshaw
January 10 – Danny Jordaan (pictured), chief executive of this year’s World Cup, insists no link should be drawn between the terrorist attack on the Togo team at the African Nations Cup in Angola and the tournament in South Africa.
Angolan attack does not affect World Cup, South African official claims
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By Duncan Mackay
January 9 – The attack on a bus of the Togo national football team in Angola will not affect this year’s World Cup in South Africa, officials there have claimed.
Exclusive: Row will not derail Australian World Cup bid promises Sports Minister
By Andrew Warshaw
January 8 – Kate Ellis (pictured), Australia’s Sports Minister, insists the country’s bid to stage the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 will not be adversely affected either by kickoff schedules or by an escalating row with other sports.
Sedibe takes over as chief executive of SAFA – for now
By Duncan Mackay
January 7 – Leslie Sedibe (pictured), a lawyer, was today unveiled as the new chief executive of the South African Football Association (SAFA) as it enters the most crucial six months of its history.
England unconcerned by CAF exclusive deal with Qatar
January 7 – England and other nations bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will not be permitted to make presentations to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later this month after Qatar signed an exclusive sponsorship deal, it was revealed today.
England unconcerned by CAF exclusive deal with Qatar
January 7 – England and other nations bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will not be permitted to make presentations to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later this month after Qatar signed an exclusive sponsorship deal, it was revealed today.
Wimbledon fans set to take Milton Keynes complaint to FIFA
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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.
Sheffield Council deny United claims over Wednesday bias
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.
South African FA chief executive leaves just six months before World Cup
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.
Donovan attacks MLS owners over contract negotiations
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.