Wales face Costa Rica in Gary Speed memorial match
By Andrew Warshaw
January 4 – Wales will play Costa Rica in a memorial match for former manager Gary Speed who tragically took his own life in November at the age of 42.
Eli Guttman named as Israeli team coach
By David Gold
January 4 – Eli Guttman (pictured) has been announced as the new Israeli national team coach, replacing Frenchman Luis Fernández, who left after a disappointing Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Beckham not heading to PSG
By Andrew Warshaw
January 3 – The future of David Beckham (pictured) was back on hold today as reports said the former England captain would not be extending his distinguished career by joining Qatar-backed French club Paris St Germain.
Exclusive: It is absolutely possible to stage the Qatar World Cup in summer, says temperature control specialist
By David Owen
January 3 – It should be perfectly possible to stage a World Cup in Qatar in summer, a top executive at a leading temperature control company has told insideworldfootball.
Swaziland withdraw from 2013 African Nations Cup over financial constraints
By David Gold
January 3 – Swaziland have withdrawn from qualifiers for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of this month’s first round tie with Seychelles, and now risk being thrown out of the 2015 tournament.
Celtic quartet approached about Team GB football team for London 2012
By David Gold
January 3 – A quartet of Celtic’s women’s team have been approached to play for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games next year.
Video is not for football, insists Platini ahead of goal-line technology decision
By Andrew Warshaw
January 3 – The build up to the eagerly awaited decision in March whether, finally, to introduce goal-line technology is gathering pace with UEFA President Michel Platini, its fiercest high-profile opponent, again rubbishing the idea.
David Owen: FA report on Suarez shines light on lengths players go to gain competitive advantage
Like other writers, I spent the first two hours of 2012 engrossed not in a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, but the intricacies of the famous October 15 altercation between footballers Luís Suárez and Patrice Evra.
And a right riveting read the 115 pages of findings drawn up by the Independent Regulatory Commission that imposed an eight-match ban – subject to appeal – on Suárez, the Liverpool striker, turned out to be.
It aroused in me all manner of reactions –
Confirmation Howard to replace Blazer as general secretary of CONCACAF
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – Ted Howard (pictured centre) has officially been named the new acting general secretary of CONCACAF, the FIFA Confederation covering North and Central America and the Caribbean – as revealed exclusively two weeks ago by Insideworldfootball.
Indonesia facing international isolation over breakaway FA
By David Gold
January 2 – The troubled Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) could face sanctions from FIFA if they fail to retake control of the game in the country, after a group called the Indonesian Football Saviour Committee (KPSI) claimed to have taken over their duties.
Suarez dismissed as “unreliable” witness after FA publish racism report
By David Gold
January 1- The English Football Association report following the investigation that Liverpool forward Luis Suarez racially abused Manchester United’s Patrice Evra has accused the Uruguayan of giving “unreliable” evidence.
FIFA suspend Angolan referee Heldér Martins
By David Gold
January 1 – FIFA has suspended the Angolan referee Heldér Martins, the country’s Football Federation (FAF) have confirmed.
Trinidad and Tobago’s football can recover, claims top official
By David Gold
January 1 – Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) vice-president Rudolph Thomas has said that football in the country would recover despite what he described as a “tumultuous year”.
Deloitte predict reduced Premier League transfer activity in January
By Andrew Warshaw
December 31 – Top-flight English clubs look set to spend cautiously in the upcoming January transfer window according to the football finance experts Deloitte.
Andrew Warshaw: Blatter needs to publicly respond to Warner’s allegations
Revenge, the old saying goes, is a dish best served cold.
The proverb suggests that a vengeful act is more satisfying as a considered response when it is least expected.
Jack Warner may, over the years, have had a reputation for spontaneous outbursts of rhetoric but the wily old fox appears to have timed his latest tirade to perfection. In other words, just as his old mate Sepp Blatter – no longer on his Christmas card list – is trying to clean up the organisation.