By Andrew Warshaw
December 28 – The British government at one point considered pulling its nations out of the 1982 World Cup because of the Falklands War with Argentina, it emerged today.
By Mark Baber
December 28 – After months of vicious in-fighting, Real Mallorca president Jaume Cladera has chosen to resign with immediate effect.
By Mark Baber
December 28 – Ajax will be holding six training camps for Russian boys aged 9-16 in Istra 50km west of Moscow this summer.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 28 – Ukraine have overlooked former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and opted for one of their own as national team successor to Oleg Blokhin who resigned in late September.
By Mark Baber
December 27 – The Nigerian Premier League (NPL) has a new 13-man interim Management Committee inaugurated today. The new body will run the affairs of the NPL, pending the election of a new board, and includes football legend Nwankwo Kanu (pictured).
By Mark Baber
December 27 – The simmering row over the release of players by clubs to play for their country has been sparked again by Nigeria’s call for Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi being refused by the club.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 27 – FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke (pictured) says 2012 has been “a demanding and challenging year” for football’s world governing body but is clearly relieved that Brazil is beginning to meet its 2014 World Cup targets.
By Delroy Alexander
On first hearing the “Selection Manifesto 12” from a powerful Zenit St. Petersburg fans group, Landscrona, I like many was quick to dismiss it as an idiots’ intent on promoting some obscure and objectionable views.
However, the demand for the sacking and non-recruitment of black players and exclusion of gays is part of a serious selection policy proposal, intended to influence and set the agenda at a club with a less than stellar record on integration.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 27 – UEFA president Michel Platini (pictured) admits 2012 has thrown up considerable challenges for his organisation but insists he will continue to meet them head on to make sure he sets the correct standards for the game.
By Duncan Mackay
December 26 – Controversial plans to demolish Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium and rebuild it in time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup have been scrapped in favour of renovating it, the city’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has revealed.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 24 – In a highly unusual move, UEFA have decided to appeal against the sanctions of its own control and disciplinary body imposed on Serbia following the explosive Euro 2013 under-21 play-off match against England in October.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 24 – British Sports minister Hugh Robertson (pictured) says football must get a firmer grip on the worrying recurrences of racism – whether on the pitch or in the stands.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 24 – The new Middle Eastern owners of iconic English club Leeds United have promised not to spend recklessly as they attempt to restore past glories.
By Mark Baber
December 24 – American entrepreneur Jim Pallotta, (pictured) who became president of AS Roma on August 27, attended his club’s 4-2 conquest of AC Milan on Saturday. After the game he reinforced his commitment towards building a new stadium.
December 24 – An unnamed man who racially abused Paul Ifill (pictured), the former Barbados striker, has been banned by Football Federation Australia (FFA) from A-league matches for two years.