Havelange “seriously ill” again in intensive care
By Duncan Mackay
April 10 – Former FIFA President Joao Havelange is back in intensive care suffering from heart and breathing problems, with doctors describing his condition as “serious”.
Exclusive: South African Sports Minister says claims of Africa Cup chaos are unfounded
By David Gold
April 10 – Reports in the South African press claiming that only one of the prospective eight host cities, Rustenberg (its Royal Bafokeng Stadium pictured left), had signed host city agreements to stage matches during next year’s African Nations Cup, have been denied vehemently to insideworldfootball today.
Platini considering scrapping Europa League in dramatic shake-up of European football
By Andrew Warshaw
April 10 – The much maligned Europa League could be scrapped in favour of doubling the size of the Champions League according to a German report.
No match fixing in Bahrain’s monster 10-0 victory declares coach Taylor
By Andrew Warshaw
April 9 – Former England caretaker manager Peter Taylor has vigorously defended his Bahrain team (pictured in red) in the wake of a FIFA investigation into their astonishing 10-0 win over Indonesia (pictured in white) in a World Cup qualifier.
New schedule is a circus killing Russian football says angry midfield star Semshov
By Andrew Warshaw
April 9 – Switching the Russian season to bring it into line with Western Europe has been attacked by veteran international midfielder Igor Semshov (pictured left) who says the revised schedule is killing the game in his country.
Sports Minister insists Russia’s football racism blight is not “hopeless”
By David Gold
April 8 – Leading Russian football officials have denied the country has a particular problem with racism amid a spate of incidents since the league season resumed last month.
Seiko sign up USA goalkeeper as latest ambassador
By David Gold
April 9 – Hope Solo (pictured), the Olympic gold medal winning goalkeeper of the United States women’s football team, has signed a sponsorship deal with Seiko Watches.
Gold Coast United axed from A-League and replaced with new Sydney team
By David Gold
April 7 – The Australian Football Federation (FFA) has officially announced that Gold Coast United will be axed from next season’s A-League and replaced with a new team in West Sydney.
World Cup stadiums are on schedule despite being half-finished, claims Brazil 2014
By David Gold
April 7 – With less than 800 days to go until the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, more than half of the stadiums being used are less than half way through construction or renovation, but should be completed by the close of 2013.
West Ham Olympic Stadium bid is fundamentally flawed, slams Leyton Orient’s chairman
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – West Ham United’s bid to move into the Olympic Stadium two years after London 2012 is “fundamentally flawed”, according to Barry Hearn (pictured), chairman of Leyton Orient who has long been fiercely opposed to the move for fear his own club could go out of existence.
Football Dreaming initiative hopes to make recruitment of more indigenous stars a reality in Australia
By David Gold
April 6 – The Australian Football Federation (FFA) has launched an initiative designed to encourage more indigenous Australians to take up the sport.
Ginola slander suit thrown out of French court
By David Gold
April 6 – Former France winger David Ginola (pictured) has lost his defamation and slander case against former national team coach Gérard Houllier over comments made following a World Cup 1994 qualifier.
Manchester United star would be “natural candidate” to play for Mexican Olympic team says coach
By David Gold
April 6 – Javier Hernandez (pictured) would be “a natural candidate” for the Mexico squad taking part in this summer’s Olympic football tournament in London, his country’s Olympic team coach has said.
Fabrice Muamba takes first steps since cardiac arrest
By Andrew Warsaw
April 5 – Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba (pictured) has taken his first steps unaided as he continues his remarkable recovery from his on-field cardiac arrest on March 17.
Spartak Moscow owner vows to stamp out racism at Russian games
By David Gold
April 5 – Spartak Moscow is creating a programme to help tackle racism and anti-semitism in Russian football, its owner Leonid Fedun has revealed.