Glasgow Rangers file for administration
By Andrew Warshaw
February 13 – Glasgow Rangers, one of the world’s most iconic clubs, filed for administration today in arguably the starkest example yet of football’s fragile finances.
World Football
Man behind success of USA 1994 given new role
By Sara Evans
February 13 – Grand Prix Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment company, have announced the appointment of Alan Rothenberg (pictured), the man credited with the currrent growth of soccer in the United States, as chairman of the Board of directors of their newly sports division.
Donation to Port Said tragedy fund made by CAF and FIFA
By David Gold
February 13 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee is donating $150,000 (€114,000/£95,000) to the families of victims from the recent Port Said tragedy which saw at least 74 supporters killed after an Egyptian league game.
CAF announces record earnings
By Andrew Warshaw
February 13 – Despite being regarded as one of the less affluent FIFA groupings, African football has announced record financial earnings.
South Sudan welcomed as official CAF member nation
By Andrew Warshaw
February 13 – Seven months after becoming an independent country following a bloody civil war, South Sudan has been admitted as the 54th member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), paving the way for it to be named as the 209th FIFA nation.
Ajax Supervisory Board offer resignations over Cruyff dispute
By David Gold
February 11 – The entire Ajax Supervisory Board have offered to resign to bring to an end the civil war between those supportive of, and those opposed to, the plans of club legend Johan Cruyff (pictured), which continues to paralyse the Dutch champions.
CAS to determine Persipura’s Asian Champions League participation
By David Gold
February 11 – Uncertainty surrounds an Asian Champions League qualifier between Adelaide United of Australia and Indonesia’s Persipura, who were reinstated in the competition by a provisional Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) judgement.
Hijab ban is limiting participation, insists FIFA’s Prince Ali
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Muslim women are being discouraged from taking up football because of the worldwide ban of the hijab, the Islamic headscarf, according to FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, the man leading the campaign to change the rules.
FIFA reveal 50 national match fixing investigations
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – The scourge of match fixing across the globe has resulted in up to 50 separate national investigations, FIFA has revealed.
China’s Zhang Jilong wants permanent role as head of AFC
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – The acting head of Asian football, China’s Zhang Jilong (pictured), has revealed for the first time that he would like the post on a permanent basis after replacing the suspended Mohamed Bin Hammam.
Trinidad and Tobago internationals rebel against unpaid bonuses
By David Gold
February 9 – Office equipment has been seized from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) by a group of players who participated in the 2006 World Cup as a payment dispute escalates.
Europe’s catenaccio economy slows growth of football’s biggest clubs
By David Owen
February 9 – Much as massed catenaccio defences once frustrated the best strikers, so Europe’s economic woes are slowing revenue growth at the continent’s top football clubs.
Stuart Pearce named as England’s caretaker manager
By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – Stuart Pearce (pictured left) was today given caretaker control of the England team for the upcoming friendly against Holland on February 29 following a tempestuous 24 hours sparked by the shock resignation of manager Fabio Capello (right), English Football Association chairman David Bernstein confirmed.
South Sudan to become provisional CAF members
By David Gold
February 9 – South Sudan is set to become a provisional member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as they continue their journey on the way to becoming a member of FIFA.
Africa joins forces with United Nations to support peace in Africa
By David Gold
February 9 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) have agreed to work together to promote peace and security in central Africa.