Bin Hammam’s Presidential hopes boosted by Asian support
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – Mohamed Bin Hammam can count on the support of at least 10 members of his Asian Confederation when he bids for the presidency of FIFA on June 1.
World Football
Birmingham’s European participation could be in doubt
By David Gold
April 15 – Carling Cup winners Birmingham City could be denied entry to the Europa League next season due to concerns over the club’s finances.
South Africa ready to drop Bafana Bafana nickname
By David Gold
April 14 – South Africa’s national football team could be set for a name change due to a trademark dispute, with the country’s football federation (SAFA) admitting that they are undecided on whether to drop the “Bafana Bafana” nickname.
Beckham may continue to play in MLS next season
By David Gold
April 13 – David Beckham, in the final year of his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy, has said that it is possible he could remain in Major League Soccer (MLS) after the end of the season.
FIFPro calls for greater protection for Eastern European players
By David Gold
April 13 – FIFPro, the worldwide footballers’ union, has said that footballers in Eastern Europe need to be better protected from the risks of violence, racism and match fixing.
Survey suggests Middle East fans prefer La Liga
By David Owen
April 12 – Spain’s La Liga is more popular in the fast-developing Middle East and North African sports region than the English Premier League, new research suggests.
FIFA appoint committee to take over Bosnian federation
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – FIFA has appointed a temporary independent committee to try and solve the Presidential impasse faced by Bosnia-Herzogovina, suspended from the international arena since early April.
Indonesian Premier League set for end of season merger
By David Gold
April 12 – The Indonesian Premier League (IPL), which is in conflict with the country’s Football Association (PSSI), is set for a merger with the country’s Super League, but has won Government and FIFA support to continue until the end of the season.
Blatter ducks questions about Presidential campaign
By Andrew Warshaw at Sport Accord in London
April 4 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter rolled into London today but refused to give any details of his campaign to be re-elected for a fourth term of office at the head of football’s world governing body.
Violence at African Champions League game prompts concern over resumption of Egyptian championship
By David Gold
April 4 – Egypt’s Football Association President Samir Zaher has said that the country would have to reconsider the resumption of domestic football in mid April after a Champions League game in Cairo had to be abandoned after supporters invaded the pitch.
Neymar insists he has nothing to apologise for over racism claim
By David Gold
April 4 – Neymar has refused to apologise to Scottish supporters for claiming that he was the victim of racist abuse at the game between Scotland and Brazil on March 27, insisting that he was not pointing the finger at any particular group of fans.
Clubs must not be victims in Bosnia row, says Rummenigge
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – European clubs today denounced the decision by FIFA and UEFA to stop Bosnia-Herzegovina playing European club competitions after the country was barred from all international football.
Bosnia Euro 2012 hopes are hit by FIFA ban
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – Bosnia-Herzegovina was suspended from international football today in arguably the most high profile case of a European country being sanctioned by FIFA.
Madrid court ruling averts La Liga strike
By David Gold
March 30 – The proposed strike of La Liga games for this weekend has been averted after a Madrid court upheld a challenge by six of the league’s clubs, Sevilla, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Espanyol and Real Zaragoza.
FIFA and UEFA take on in match betting
By David Gold
March 30 – FIFA and UEFA have warned that they will clamp down on match fixing in friendly games by restricting in-game betting.