FIFA opens up bidding for 8 of its its World Cup competitions
March 10 – FIFA has called for expressions of interest in hosting eights of its competitions including the Women’s World Club and four editions of the FIFA Club World Cup.
AFC’s Sheikh Salman backs Qatar and calls for more World Cup places
By Andrew Warshaw
March 10 – The head of the Asian Football Confederation says western criticism of Qatar as World Cup hosts is being overplayed and, in some cases, has “crossed the line.”
Prosecutors drop case against Spurs’ ‘Yid’ chanters as not ‘abusive’
March 10 – In what was viewed as a vital test case in terms of freedom of expression, charges have been dropped against three Tottenham Hotspur fans who were facing prosecution for chanting the word ‘Yid’ at matches despite almost certainly using the term in a non-derogatory way.
Makudi saga continues with CAS to rule on appeal against his presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
March 10 – FIFA executive committee member Worawi Makudi’s controversial re-election as head of Thailand’s FA (FAT) is being taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Last October after months of in-fighting about election rules, Makudi defeated former national team manager Virach Chanpanich 42-28 in a secret ballot.
Hoeness trial opens as German judiciary line up against Bayern president
By Andrew Warshaw
March 10 – The tax evasion trial of Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness gets under way today, the culmination of a scandal that has rocked German football though it has done little to affect the blistering form of the club itself on the field.
Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv fires director for political activism
By Alexander Krassimirov
March 10 – Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv have released their administrative director, Atanas Uzunov, accusing him of “political games”. The board of Lokomotiv claims that he used his official position to “influence the supporters of the club and they participate in political actions against the government of country.”
David Owen: Could Neymar’s Brazil play future matches at London’s Olympic Stadium?
What do the following international football matches have in common: Brazil 0 Portugal 2 on 6 February 2007; Nigeria 1 Ghana 4 the same night; and Australia 3 Canada 0 on 15 October 2013?
Right, they were all played in London.
So was an extraordinary encounter last week pitting the Socceroos, once more, against Ecuador, France’s future World Cup opponents. While Roy Hodgson’s England were labouring to beat Denmark at Wembley,
Osasu Obayiuwana: Libya’s Cup of Nations takes some believing
Charity, they say, is supposed to begin at home. Or, at least, in your continent.
But I am wondering whether it is an adage that officials of Libya’s government and the football federation have ever taken to heart.
At the recent laying of the foundation stone, at a stadium to be built in Tripoli, the country’s capital, ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations they are to host – assuming the war-torn country is peaceful enough –
Ukraine FA sets date for re-start of domestic league
By Paul Nicholson
March 7 – The on-off-on international friendly between Ukraine and the US, switched to a Cypriot venue, ended in a morale boosting 2-0 win for the Ukranians. Now the Ukraine FA has announced that its domestic league will restart on March 15.
Benfica agree fees to play Levski Sofia in centenary match
By Alexander Krassimirov
March 7 – Portuguese giants Benfica have agreed to reduce their fee to €200,000 to participate in an exhibition game against Levski Sofia to mark the Bulgarian club’s 100th anniversary.
Qatar 2022 date change ruling unlikely before March 2015
By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 – There have been more indications – this time from the clubs – that no decision on moving the 2022 Qatar World Cup from the heat of the Gulf summer will be taken until next year.
FA consider appealing Anelka’s ‘too leniant’ Quennelle sanction
March 7 – The English Football Association is reported to be considering whether to appeal against the five-match ban imposed by an independent commission on former French international striker for his infamous ‘quenelle’ gesture on the basis that it was too leniant.
Horror tackle gets Vietnamese international a 28-game ban
March 7 – A Vietnam international defender has been handed what is reported to be record 28-game ban for an horrendous tackle that broke the leg of an opponent in a domestic league match.
Yeung gets 6-year jail sentence as judge sends a message to fraudsters
By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 – Carson Yeung, the Hong Kong barber-turned-businessman who appeared to have amassed a fortune when he moved into English football by buying Birmingham City, has been jailed for six years for money laundering.
Botev Plovdiv unveil new stadium plans for 2015 opening
By Alexander Krassimirov
March 7 – Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv has unveiled a new set of pans for the building of the Hristo Botev stadium, where the club will play its home games. The stadium reconstruction should be completed in 2015.