Emotional Didier Drogba to leave Chelsea for China’s Shenhua
By David Gold
May 22 – Just days after winning Chelsea the Champions League title, Didier Drogba appears set to become the latest big name to move to China.
Jeffrey Webb set to be named CONCACAF President
By Andrew Warshaw
May 22 – Barring a last-minute hitch, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) will name Jeffrey Webb as its new President tomorrow, heralding in a new era of transparency for the troubled region.
Icon Bubka slams thoughts of “senseless” political boycott of Euro 2012
By Andrew Warshaw
May 22 – Ukraine’s most iconic sportsman, Sergey Bubka, says talk of a boycott of the 2012 UEFA European Championship by European Governments is “senseless” and will serve no purpose.
Angry Auxerre fans rain on first-time champions Montpellier’s parade
By David Gold
May 22 – Montpellier’s first ever French Ligue 1 title was marred as Auxerre fans caused chaos and two delays during the crucial game between the two sides at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps.
Samsung extends tie-up with African football until 2015
By David Gold
May 21 – Samsung Electronics has renewed its sponsorship agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a further three years.
Andrew Warshaw: How Spurs’ Champions League spot was unjustly snatched away in the blink of an eye
Didier Drogba’s Champions League-winning penalty in last Saturday’s heart-stopping shootout in Munich may have been the greatest moment in the history of Chelsea football club but it also exposed arguably UEFA’s cruellest, most unjust regulation.
Just a fortnight ago, Chelsea came sixth in the Premier League equalling their worst, repeat WORST, position for a decade.
Under normal circumstances such a poor return by one of the richest clubs in the world would have relegated them to the Europa League.
I’m against the technology, insists Michel Platini as he stands firm against goal-line aids
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – UEFA President Michel Platini has reiterated his opposition to goal-line technology – and says his counterpart at FIFA, Sepp Blatter, may yet do the same.
Exclusive: Hodgson’s choice opens up London 2012 football road to Rio
By Alan Hubbard
May 20 – Rio Ferdinand, “gutted” at being omitted from England’s UEFA European Championship squad by manager Roy Hodgson, is set to be thrown an international lifeline with a place in Britain’s 2012 Olympic football team.
World Cup-winning coach Lippi takes reins at Chinese Super League outfit
By David Gold
May 19 – World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has been appointed as manager of big-spending Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande.
Chelsea up against German commercial powerhouse
By David Owen
May 18 – An analysis by Sport + Markt, the sports marketing consultancy group, has underlined the scale of Chelsea’s task tomorrow when they try to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
Manchester United’s gross debts reduce despite revenue drop caused by Champions League exit
By David Gold
May 18 – Manchester United have seen matchday revenue drop as a result of their early departure from the UEFA Champions League this season, but they have also managed to reduce their debts over the last year.
2013 African Nations Cup costs revealed by South Africa’s Organising Committee boss
By David Gold
May 18 – Mvuzo Mbebe, the head of the Organising Committee of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations being held in South Africa, has said the tournament will cost a total of R400 million (£30 million/$48 million/€38 million).
David Beckham backs Gary Neville in England Euro 2012 coaching role
By Mike Rowbottom in Athens
May 18 – David Beckham has applauded the England manager Roy Hodgson’s decision to take on his old Manchester United teammate Gary Neville as a coaching assistant for the forthcoming European Championships.
Moscow presents stadium options to FIFA and Russia 2018 as host cities contenders tour continues
By David Gold
May 18 – The delegation touring potential host cities for the Russia 2018 World Cup have visited Moscow, following stops in Yekaterinburg and Yaroslavl this week.
Lyall Gorman and Tony Popovic to head up Western Sydney’s new A-League club
By David Gold
May 18 – The head of the Australian A-League, Lyall Gorman (pictured left), is to be the new executive chairman of the club in western Sydney joining the league this season.