Egyptian league set to return in December
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – Egypt’s delayed league season could finally kick off on December 15 with a proposal that the top division be split into two, partly to reduce fan violence.
Brazil 2014 unveils name for World Cup armadillo mascot
By Duncan Mackay
November 26 – Fuleco is the name chosen by the Brazilian public for the controversial cartoon armadillo who will be the official mascot of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, it was announced today.
FIFA suspends Switzerland World Cup coach Hitzfeld for offensive gesture
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has been suspended for two FIFA World Cup qualifiers for making an offensive gesture at the referee during the home fixture with Norway last month.
Samson Adamu denies Qatar 2022 bribery allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – Samson Adamu, son of discredited Nigerian football powerbroker Amos Adamu, has hit back at allegations that he collaborated with the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid team in the build up to the ballot almost two years ago.
FBI investigates Warner money laundering allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – The fallout from former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner’s resignation over last year’s cash-for-votes scandal shows no sign of abating.
Hosting 2010 World Cup worth “intangible legacy” to South Africa claims new report
By Duncan Mackay
November 26 – Hosting the 2010 World Cup was worth “intangible legacy” to South Africa, despite costing the country more than $3 billion (£2 billion/€2.5 billion), the Government’s final report has concluded.
Euro 2012 will be bigger than the “Barcelona Effect” economists claim
By Duncan Mackay
November 25 – Poland’s successful co-hosting of the UEFA European Championships earlier this year is likely to have a bigger long-term impact on the economy there than Barcelona reaped from staging the 1992 Olympics and Paralympics, it has been claimed.
Arsenal extend Emirates sponsorship with £150 million deal
By Andrew Warshaw
November 25 – One of the biggest sponsorship contract renewals in football history has been completed with Arsenal signing a new £150 million ($240 million/€185 million) shirt deal with Emirates airline until 2019.
New debate over future of 1980 Moscow Olympic Stadium after calls for it to be knocked down and rebuilt
By Duncan Mackay
November 25 – There is a row in Russia over whether Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, which hosted the 1980 Olympics, should be demolished and rebuilt in time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup or saved because of its historic importance.
Mihir Bose: Blatter is the sort of showman who likes to surprise his audience
You don’t know what to expect when you interview Sepp Blatter. For a man who wanted to be on the stage since he was a child, he has always been the sort of showman who likes to surprise his audience. A book of Blatter sayings would be an instant bestseller.
Yet what struck me when I had a long chat with him at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich last week, is that there seems little love lost between him and Michel Platini,
Tributes paid to world’s oldest football coach Ivor Powell
By Mike Rowbottom
November 23 – The life of Ivor Powell – footballer, coach and inspirational force – has been celebrated by staff and alumni at the University of Bath in a tribute event at the Sports Training Village that followed his funeral service.
Chelsea face backlash as FA clears Clattenburg
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – European champions Chelsea, still reeling from the John Terry racism affair, have been plunged into the spotlight yet again for all the wrong reasons after English football authorities cleared referee Mark Clattenburg of using “inappropriate language” towards the club’s Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Andrew Warshaw: Time waits for no man, not least when it comes to Chelsea’s short-termism
Here we go again – just like clockwork. Only this was arguably the cruellest cut of all.
Six months after winning the greatest prize in European club football – the one Roman Abramovich craved from the moment he walked through the door – Chelsea have brutally cast aside the manager who brought it about, one who gained legendary status virtually overnight.
Time waits for no man, not least when it comes to football’s mantra of short-termism.
Spurs fan stabbed and ten injured as Lazio supporters launch vicious attack
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – Ten Tottenham Hotspur fans – nine British and one American – are recovering after being injured in a violent attack by Lazio supporters ahead of the Europa League fixture between the teams in Rome tonight.
UEFA postpones decision on Serbia-England brawl
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – A UEFA disciplinary hearing into the racist chanting and post-match melee that marred last month’s explosive European under-21 fixture between Serbia and England, due to be held today, has been postponed until mid-December.