By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Limited standing areas could be re-introduced immediately below the top flight in English football following a campaign by grassroots fans’ groups who say better policing and attitudes have changed the landscape of the game.
February 10 – Argentinian legend Jorge Valdano has painted an optimistic picture about Qatar’s footballing future, insisting the country is “well-placed to surprise many people” with its hosting of the 2022 World Cup.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – The latest foreign incursion into English football club ownership is on the verge of completion after controversial Italian agricultural entrepreneur Massimo Cellino finally bought a 75% stake in Leeds United – subject to the takeover being approved by league authorities.
February 10 – Italian football has been hit by another possible matchfixing scandal after an unheralded lower-league side conceded eight own goals in the last 10 minutes of a regional cup game.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Portuguese football authorities say they had no choice but to call off Sunday’s hotly anticipated Lisbon derby between arch-rivals Benfica and Sporting in order to “avoid a tragedy” after strong winds caused part of the roof to collapse.
When Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, was recently appointed as UEFA’s coaching ambassador, he gave what I thought was a logical piece of advice for the next generation of managers.
“I would say to every young coach – make sure that you prepare and give yourselves the best opportunities by getting their (UEFA) licenses. It is very important.
“Even when they get their licenses, they need to ensure they attend all the coaching seminars…
Just hours before the Sochi 2014 Games open the IOC President , Thomas Bach, launched a surprising attack on the US and, in particular, former President George Bush junior for using the Olympics for political purposes. Although he did not name Bush the reference to the former US President was clear and this follows Bach’s remarks three days ago when he attacked western leaders, including Barrack Obama and David Cameron, for not coming to the Olympics as an “ostentatious gesture”
February 7 – Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has increased its global footprint with the licensing of its Spurs TV weekly television package to four international broadcasters who will screen exclusive club content on their platforms across four continents and 35 countries.
February 7 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has added the Army National Guard (ARNG) as the Official Armed Forces Partner of the NWSL. The ARNG joins Nike and the US Soccer Foundation as main sponsors of the league. No figure has been released for the value of the deal.
February 7 – Tyre manufacturers Continental has expanded its sponsorship agreement with UEFA to include rights to the qualifiers for both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup stretching over the next three years.
February 7 – The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) has adopted a series of integrity measures with immediate effect and to include the CFU Cup which kicks off. While there has never been allegation of match-fixing in the Caribbean, the measures will warn and educate players and officials of one of the biggest challenges facing top level football worldwide.
February 7 – Egypt’s Court of Cassation has ordered a re-trial of 21 people sentenced to death in connection with the infamous February, 2012, Port Said riot in which more than 70 spectators died, causing two successive league seasons to be called off and plunging the sport into chaos.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 7 – Qatar’s World Cup organisers have described a fact-finding mission to England as a key development in what will be a “milestone year” in terms of planning for the 2022 tournament.
January 7 – Brazil has released detail of its increased security plan for the World Cup later this year, saying it will be doubling the number of security personnel in comparison to the 2013 Confederations Cup, to 100,000.
By David Owen and Paul Nicholson
February 6 – Sepp Blatter has given what will be interpreted as a clear hint that he intends to run next year for another term as FIFA President, speaking out against the retention of age limits for International Olympic Committee (IOC) members.