FIFA set to withdraw funding of new Zurich stadium over standing plans
By David Gold
January 15 – FIFA appear set to withdraw funding towards a new stadium being built in Zurich, the home of world football’s governing body.
Europe
UEFA to work with Interpol to prevent match-fixing and violence
By Andrew Warshaw
January 12 – UEFA are following FIFA’s lead by linking up with Interpol to clamp down both on match fixing and stadium violence.
Exclusive: I’d still like to see the Olympic Stadium involve football, says BOA chair Moynihan
By Andrew Warshaw
January 13 – British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Colin Moynihan says it is still preferable that football plays a vital part in the use of the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games to prevent it becoming a white elephant.
Israeli soccer is clean, insists IFA boss Luzon
By Andrew Warshaw
January 11 – The boss of Israeli football Avraham Luzon (pictured) insists the country is not one of those caught up in the scourge of global match fixing.
Russia to make match-fixing a criminal offence
By Duncan Mackay
January 11 – Match-fixing will be a criminal offence under new legislation set to be put before the Russian Parliament, the country’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has revealed.
French football says ‘Allo’ to the pink Puma
By David Owen
January 10 – You cannot help but admire the boldness of some of sports goods company Puma’s football initiatives.
British Parliamentary Committee to investigate racism in football
By Duncan Mackay
January 10 – A British Parliamentary Committee is investigate whether enough is being done to combat racism in football after incidents involving high-profile players, including England and Chelsea captain John Terry.
Police investigation launched after SPL footballer suffers racist abuse on Twitter
By Tom Degun
January 9 – Police have launched an investigation after Scottish Premier League (SPL) player Grégory Tadé (pictured) suffered racist abuse on the social media site Twitter.
I’d like to see Redknapp in charge of England after Euro 2012, says Sir Clive Woodward
By Alan Hubbard
January 8 – Sir Clive Woodward (pictured) has joined the call for Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Redknapp to become the England football manager after Euro 2012.
FIFA decides to lift Switzerland ban threat after Sion punishment
By Andrew Warshaw
January 6 – FIFA has lifted its threat to suspend Switzerland from all domestic and international football following the Swiss Football Association’s (SVF) decision to dock 36 points from rebel club Sion.
Turkish initiative sees thousands of women and children at league matches for free
By David Gold
January 5 – Almost 57,000 women and children have watched Turkish league football this season for free, the country’s Football Federation (TFF) has claimed.
Fenerbahçe fans call on TFF to maintain match fixing rule
By David Gold
January 4 – Supporters of Turkish champions Fenerbahçe, who have been heavily implicated in the country’s match fixing scandal, have called on the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) not to alter a rule which could relegate the club.
Wales face Costa Rica in Gary Speed memorial match
By Andrew Warshaw
January 4 – Wales will play Costa Rica in a memorial match for former manager Gary Speed who tragically took his own life in November at the age of 42.
Eli Guttman named as Israeli team coach
By David Gold
January 4 – Eli Guttman (pictured) has been announced as the new Israeli national team coach, replacing Frenchman Luis Fernández, who left after a disappointing Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
FC Sion docked 36 points by SFV following FIFA row
By Andrew Warshaw
December 30 – The escalating dispute between the rebel Swiss club FC Sion and FIFA reached another pivotal milestone today when the Swiss Football Association (SFV) sensationally docked the club 36 points for fielding ineligible players, thereby seemingly avoiding a ban from international competition.