South American President set to remain in role for four more years
March 22 – Nicolas Leoz is set to remain as head of CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, after the continent’s ten members backed him unanimously.
World Football
Japanese stars to play in charity game
By David Gold
March 20 – All 12 Japanese internationals plying their trade in Europe will be available for Japan’s charity game against a J-League XI on March 29 to honour the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit the country earlier this month, it has been announced.
South Africa replace Libya as African Youth Championship hosts
By David Gold
March 19 – The 2011 CAF African Youth Championship will be hosted by South Africa after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the switch from war-torn Libya.
Japan to play charity game in place of New Zealand friendly
By David Gold
March 18 – Japan has been forced to cancel a friendly with New Zealand scheduled for March 29, due to be played in Tokyo, and will instead hold a charity match in Osaka, with their opponents yet to be confirmed.
Blatter opens football academy in Myanmar
By David Gold
March 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has opened a new football academy in Myanmar and spoken of the country’s potential to play a “very active role” in the development of football in Asia.
Chelsea emphasise commitment to Asia by renewing partnership
By David Gold
March 15 – Chelsea and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have renewed their partnership, formalising the club’s support to the development of football in the Asian confederation.
Portuguese teams threatened with expulsion from international football
March 6 – FIFA has told the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) that it must urgently update the status of its clubs, athletes, coaches and associations, or face a ban from international competitions.
From north to south for African Youth Championship teams
By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – The first major sporting fallout from the political unrest in Libya has seen South Africa as likely replacements for the north African country as hosts of the Orange African Youth Championship, it was reported today.
Platini threatens Serbia with ban over its hooligans
February 24 – UEFA chief Michel Platini has warned Belgrade its national squad and teams could be banned from international competitions if Serbia does not root out violence among football supporters.
Jordaan fails in bid to join FIFA’s Executive Committee
By Andrew Warshaw
February 23 – Danny Jordaan, the man who did more than anyone to bring the World Cup to South Africa, today failed in his great ambition to win a seat on to the top table at FIFA.
La Liga merchandise sales outstrip Premier League
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – The leading Spanish clubs generated more revenue from the sale of merchandising than their English counterparts in 2009-10 despite the Premier League’s global appeal, according to a report published by Sport+Markt and PR Marketing.
Exclusive: FIFA denies Warner “investigation”
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – World football’s governing body today denied reports that its controversial vice-president Jack Warner had been investigated by its Ehics Committee over the alleged sale of World Cup black market tickets.
Triesman attacks Premier League chairman at Parliamentary hearing
By Andrew Warshaw
February 8 – Former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman today hit back at his former employers saying the way the game is run in England is completely unsatisfactory.
Banned FIFA Executive Committee member to take case to CAS
By Andrew Warshaw
Febuary 7 – Amos Adamu, one of the two FIFA powerbrokers banned over the World Cup cash-for-votes scandal, is to take his case all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after an Appeals Committee upheld the three-year sanction against him.
Adamu: FIFA “will clear me” over Sunday Times allegations at appeal
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
February 1 – Amos Adamu claims that he is confident of being cleared when he appears before the FIFA Appeals Committee in Zurich tomorrow over corruption claims.