By David Gold
April 2 – America-born Miguel Ponce’s late extra-time strike helped Mexico win the Confederation of North, Central and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) men’s football qualifiers for London 2012.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 2 – Yet another serious match fixing episode, this time in Italy, moved on apace today when Atalanta defender Andrea Masiello (pictured) was arrested in connection with last season’s scandal in Serie A.
By David Gold
April 2 – All Turkish teams, including those not involved in match rigging, could be banned from European competition rather than face relegation, after the suggestion from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was echoed by Yıldırım Demirören, the new Turkish Football Federation (TFF) chairman.
It was billed as a “historic day” for FIFA in terms of its reform process but what happens now? It’s one thing being accused of failing to sufficiently investigate corruption allegations against its members. But it’s quite another actually doing something about it.
Anti-corruption guru Mark Pieth’s eagerly awaited report into FIFA’s recent conduct may have been hard-hitting in its conclusions and suggested firm ways of rebuilding trust. But until and unless FIFA acts on the recommendations the cynics will still swirl around football’s world governing body.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 2 – Thirteen suspended Zimbabwean footballers based in South Africa are being allowed to continue playing for their clubs until FIFA takes official action against them.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 2 – Russia’s landslide 2018 World Cup ballot victory over England has resulted in English referees discriminating against Russian players.
Ever since Fabrice Muamba collapsed in the first half of the FA Cup match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, not a single football event has gone by without some sympathy being expressed for the stricken Bolton player. This has included fans and players, even players in countries far removed from England, wearing T-shirts wishing Muamba a speedy recovery. His progress in hospital has been monitored with the sort of attention that was once accorded to members of the royal family and would nowadays be given to high profile pop stars.
By Duncan Mackay
April 2 – Tokuaki Suzuki, the former Competitions Director of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Japan Football Association (JFA), has been appointed by Tokyo 2020 its new communications director to oversee its bid for the Olympics and Paralympics.
April 1 – Renowned Italian events and ceremonies producer Marco Balich (pictured) has been snapped up as the creative director in charge of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of this summer’s European Championships in Ukraine and Poland.
By David Gold
March 31 – Mexico (pictured below) and Honduras booked their spots at this summer’s football tournament at the London 2012 Olympic Games with semi-final victories at the Confederation of North, Central and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) men’s qualifiers.
By David Gold
March 31 – Controversial politician Silvio Berlusconi has once again returned to the helm as President of Italy’s Serie A reigning champions, AC Milan.
By David Gold
March 31 – The United States Sports Academy (USSA) has unveiled a bronze bust to commemorate legendary Brazilian footballer Pelé.
By Andrew Warshaw
March 30 – A hard-hitting dossier into the way FIFA has dealt with a mountain of corruption over the past two years has accused Sepp Blatter’s organisation of a “systematic” lack of transparency and “clearly unconvincing” sanctions.
By David Gold
March 30 – Progress has been made in Brazil’s Congress on the controversial 2014 World Cup law, with the bill passing a crucial stage on the way to being formally approved by President Dilma Rousseff.
By David Gold
March 30 – Oman will face Senegal at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, next month for a place at the London 2012 Olympic football tournament after a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan on Thursday.