Platini backs Germany for Euro 2012 victory
By Andrew Warshaw
March 6 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) is backing Germany to clinch this summer’s European Championship title – and insists Brazil will be ready for 2014 World Cup.
FIFA look set to change international calendar after pressure from Europe’s top clubs
By Andrew Warshaw
March 6 – FIFA looks set to bow to pressure from Europe’s top clubs by reducing the number of international fixtures from 2015 and scrapping meaningless friendlies, especially the one in August that coincides with the start of most leagues.
Valcke makes humiliating backtrack after slamming Brazil’s World Cup preparations
By Andrew Warshaw
March 6 – FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke (pictured) has been forced into a humiliating climb-down after suggesting Brazil needed a “kick up the backside” over its lack of World Cup preparations.
AFC President Jilong thanks IFAB for lifting hijab ban
By Andrew Warshaw
March 5 – Zhang Jilong (pictured), the Chinese acting President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has welcomed the decision by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to unanimously endorse lifting the ban on women footballers wearing the Islamic headscarf.
Let the players play, says FIFA’s Valcke as he backs unified Team GB at London 2012
By David Gold
March 5 – FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke (pictured) has said that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s Football Associations should embrace being a part of Team GB at the Olympic Games.
Over $3 billion spent on 2011 world transfers, reveals FIFA
By David Gold
March 5 – FIFA has revealed that over $3 billion (£1.88 billion€2.25 billion) was spent last year on more than 11,500 transfers in the men’s world football market.
Puma extends deal with Italian Football Federation to Russia 2018
By David Gold
March 5 – Puma has extended its long term partnership with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) through to the World Cup in Russia in 2018, it has been announced.
FFA has lurched from one disaster to another and needs replacing, claims Gold Coast owner
By David Gold
March 5 – The battle between Clive Palmer (pictured) and Football Federation Australia (FFA) has been ratcheted up again after the Gold Coast United owner vowed to create a new governing body for football in the country.
European fans believe foreign owners do not have clubs’ best interests at heart, reveals new study
By Andrew Warshaw
March 5 – The latest managerial sacking by Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich (pictured) has been put into stark perspective by a new report showing fans are generally against having foreigners in charge of their clubs.
Price of Champions League final tickets slashed by UEFA
By Andrew Warshaw
March 5 – UEFA are slashing ticket prices for this season’s Champions League final in Munich following a barrage of criticism about the expense of watching last year’s showpiece event for grassroots fans.
English league giants Arsenal and Man City to play high profile friendly in China
By David Gold
March 5 – Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City will play a high profile friendly in China’s Olympic Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing on July 27, the day of the start of the Olympic Games in London.
We will organise an impeccable World Cup, insists Brazil 2014 boss Teixeira
By Andrew Warshaw
March 5 – Controversial FIFA powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira (pictured), the increasingly under fire head of Brazilian football, has unexpectedly stepped into the escalating row over preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Former Interpol director Ralf Mutschke named as FIFA’s director of security
By Andrew Warshaw
March 5 – FIFA has been quick to fill the gap to be left in May when Chris Eaton, their director of security, leaves after becoming arguably the game’s most high-profile figure in the battle against global match fixing.
Tickets on sale for London 2012 Olympic football test event
By Tom Degun
March 5 – Tickets have gone on sale for the London 2012 Olympic football test event on April 23 at the City of Coventry Stadium (pictured) where a vital match will take place offering the final qualifying place in the men’s Olympic football tournament.
Brazil threatens to cut ties with FIFA’s Valcke after latest comments cause fury
By Andrew Warshaw in Bagshot
March 3 – The war of words between FIFA and Brazil over the 2014 World Cup appeared to reach breaking point today as both sides continued to exchange barbs over the perceived lack of progress in preparations.