Matchfixing at Asian Cup being strictly monitored
January 16 – The Asian Football Confederation says every effort is being made to avoid match-fixing at the Asian Cup.
Asia
AFC defends dope test disaster, but Hayel unlikely to return to play
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Rocked by embarrassing allegations of negligence at the most prestigious event in its calendar, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has hit back at claims by Jordan that they botched a doping test on striker Ahmad Hayel during the Asian Cup in Australia.
Botched dope test leaves Jordanian striker ill at AFC Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – The Asian Cup has burst into controversy after Jordan lodged a formal protest with organisers claiming a random dope test that went badly wrong resulted in one their players falling seriously ill.
2015 Asian Cup kicks off, with Iran enjoying home levels of support
By Mark Baber
January 12 – The 2015 AFC Asian Cup, being held outside Asia for the first time, is well underway with teams from radically different cultures competing on Australian soil in the 16th edition of the world’s second oldest continental competition.
Aguirre shakes off match-fixing furore with 4-0 Asian Cup win
January 12 – Despite at last managing to concentrate on matters on the pitch – a 4-0 win over newcomers Palestine at the Asian Cup – Japan coach Javier Aguirre continues to face questions about his alleged role in a bribery scandal from his time in Spanish football.
Asian chiefs unite behind Blatter giving Prince Ali cold shoulder
By Andrew Warshaw
January 9 – Key Asian football chiefs have staunchly re-iterated their support for FIFA president Sepp Blatter following young pretender Prince Ali’s announcement that he was making a bid for the FIFA throne.
Out of the blocks: Prince Ali’s first stop on the campaign trail is AFC congress
By Andrew Warshaw
January 8 – Just days after he announced that he was taking on Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein has his first opportunity on Friday to gauge how much support he might get from within his own region.
Heat controversy ignites after Aussie A-League match temps hit 39º
January 6 – An A-League clash between Perth Glory and Adelaide United, which reportedly left a number of players suffering the symptoms of heat stroke, has reignited the debate over the temperatures it should be considered acceptable for matches to be played and whether player welfare is being sacrificed in the interests of television.
UAE and Kuwait Asian Cup warm-up turns ‘un’friendly as game scrapped in the tunnel
By Andrew Warshaw
January 5 – Preparations for this week’s Asian Cup in Australia, the continent’s flagship competition, have been plunged into controversy after a warm-up game between two of the finalists was called off just moments before kickoff.
Sheikh Ahmed backs Qatar, criticises racist media and supports Blatter for re-election
By Paul Nicholson
January 5 – President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Kuwaiti Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah, has repeated his assertion that Qatar’s 2022 World Cup has been the subject of a “racist campaign”. He also questioned the independence of an American investigator to lead the FIFA ethics investigation into the world cup bidding.
Hero Motocorp gear up for major Indian sponsorship of Federation Cup and ISL
By Mark Baber
January 2 – Hero MotoCorp Ltd, the world’s biggest bicycle and motorbike manufacturer, is in still in negotiation over the terms of a three-year deal to be the title sponsors for the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Federation Cup and the I-League – although the deal was announced last week.
Japanese players unite behind coach Aguirre as they prep for Aussie mission
December 30 – Japanese players have leapt to the defence of head coach Javier Aguirre after the Mexican vehemently denied any involvement in a match-fixing scandal during the time he worked in Spain.
North Korea dumps Yun and appoints Jo as it heads to Asian Cup
December 30 – North Korea is reported to have replaced suspended head coach Yun Jong-su with his predecessor Jo Tong-sop (pictured) for next month’s Asian Cup in Australia.
Aguirre says he is innocent of match-fixing as attention turns to Asian Cup
December 29 – Japan’s national team coach Javier Aguirre has broken his silence over allegations of match-fixing when he worked in Spain with a passionate defence of his conduct and reputation.
Jailed Vietnamese match-fixers banned for life from playing
December 29 – Vietnamese football authorities have imposed their latest crackdown on match-fixing, banning nine players for life for rigging an Asian club game.