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.
World Football
Messi wins third straight Ballon d’Or award
By Andrew Warshaw
January 9 – Argentina and Barcelona wizard Lionel Messi as expected was crowned World Player of the Year at a glittering FIFA gala in Zurich tonight – picking up the Ballon d’Or award for the third year running.
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.
Exclusive: Webb in line to take up CONCACAF Presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
January 9 – Jeff Webb (pictured right with Sepp Blatter), the man leading the effort to put Caribbean football back on its feet after months of scandal, is also being lined up as the next President of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) to replace controversial former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
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.
Blatter’s reform programme is self-seeking, says investigative journalist trio
By Andrew Warshaw
January 9 – Three investigative journalists who have been probing FIFA conduct over a number of years have spelled out why they have snubbed an offer to take part in Sepp Blatter’s reform programme.
French groups protest FIFA plan to lift ban on hijab
By Duncan Mackay
January 8 – A proposal to allow female Muslim footballers to wear the hijab during matches has been criticised by several groups in France, who have written to FIFA President Sepp Blatter to protest.
FIFA fight back in Warner television rights row
By Andrew Warshaw
January 6 – A week after bombshell allegations by former powerbroker Jack Warner, FIFA have hit back in an escalation of the bitter war of words between the two parties.
FIFA promote Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein
By Andrew Warshaw
January 6 – Almost exactly a year after joining the FIFA hierarchy, Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (pictured) looks like becoming one of the most influential figures on the world stage.
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.
The scale of the match fixing problem is frightening, warns FIFA’s head of security
By Andrew Warshaw
January 5 – The man leading the fight against worldwide match fixing has described the scale of the problem as “frightening” and reiterated his determination to beat the criminals.
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.