Real Madrid to open four soccer schools in Kurdistan
By David Gold
February 20 – Spanish giants Real Madrid have signed an agreement with the Iraqi Sports Ministry to create four football academies in the Kurdistan province.
Egyptian football chief admits Premier League is unlikely to resume
By David Gold
February 20 – The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) interim chairman Anwar Saleh has revealed that the country’s Premier League, suspended following the Port Said tragedy which left dozens dead, will probably not resume.
Former Brazil striker Bebeto joins 2014 World Cup Organising Committee
By David Gold
February 20 – Bebeto has joined fellow former Brazilian goalscoring great Ronaldo and embattled football chief Ricardo Teixeira on the 2014 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.
Australian football chief blasts Gold Coast United chair Clive Palmer
By David Gold
February 20 – Clive Palmer, the chairman of Australian team Gold Coast United, has been condemned for an outspoken tirade in which he admitted not liking football and refused to guarantee the future of his “insignificant” club.
CH2M HILL named as Qatar 2022 World Cup strategic partner
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
February 18 – Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup took a significant step forward when organisers announced leading global management firm CH2M HILL as a key strategic partner.
Qatar appoint Brazilian as new coach
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
February 19 – Qatar’s determination to be taken seriously as a football nation has resulted in the appointment of a fourth national coach in just over a year as 55-year-old Brazilian Paulo Autuori became the latest figure to try and take the tiny Gulf state to its first ever World Cup.
Teixeira future uncertain as he resumes top roles in Brazil
By Andrew Warshaw
February 19 – The future of corruption-tainted FIFA powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira appears ever more uncertain after the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) announced he was to remain in his post as its President despite widespread reports that he was about to step down under mounting pressure.
Warner hires English QC to dispute financial wrongdoing allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (pictured) is taking legal action over what he claims is “completely unacceptable defamation and libel” reporting over his alleged wrongdoing in the Haiti earthquake fund dispute.
Mihir Bose: Rangers entering administration shows how crazy football is
Administrators being called into Glasgow Rangers is more than yet another football club living way beyond its means. This is one of those seminal moments when you feel the world has changed and may not be the same again. It illustrates the perils of football commercialism and how dangerous it can be.
No, it is not quite football’s equivalent of the fall of the Berlin Wall; to suggest that would be going a touch too far.
Football corruption specialist Chris Eaton to leave FIFA for ICSS
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – Chris Eaton (pictured), the former Interpol crime-buster whose blueprint to weed out match fixing and other forms of football corruption was hailed as a major breakthrough, is leaving his post as FIFA’s head of security to join the world’s first non-profit-making organisation specialising in safety and security across all sports.
Manchester City protest over racism towards Toure and Balotelli
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – Manchester City have protested to UEFA over alleged racist abuse aimed at their players during last night’s 2-1 Europa League victory at FC Porto.
Olympic architect unmasked as man who scuppered West Ham United Stadium deal
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – Steve Lawrence (pictured), the architect who who wrote the original masterplan for the London Olympics and Paralympics, has identified himself as the mystery figure behind the anonymous complaint to the European Union Commission which scuppered West Ham United’s hopes of moving to the Olympic Stadium after the Games.
Barry Hearn: London 2012 Olympic Stadium is not fit for football
By David Gold
February 20 – Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn has claimed that the London 2012 Olympic Stadium “is not fit for football.”
Teixeira set to stand down as CBF President
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – The reign of corruption-tainted Brazilian powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira looks set to end after months of growing pressure.
Haiti earthquake funds controlled by Jack Warner unaccounted for
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – Funds donated for the Haiti earthquake fund, but which never arrived, were paid into a bank account controlled by former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (pictured), according to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF).