FIFPro slams Indonesia following death of Paraguayan player
By Andrew Warshaw
December 6 – The death from a routine virus of Diego Mendieta, a Paraguayan player based in Indonesia, has outraged the international players’ union, FIFPro.
West Ham bid to take over Olympic Stadium given greenlight by Legacy Company but safety net put in place
By Duncan Mackay
December 5 – Premier League club West Ham United have taken a major step towards moving into the Olympic Stadium after they were “ranked highest of the bids received”, according to the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).
Exclusive: Bin Hammam ban ends Friday, investigators need new evidence for further action
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – The ongoing probe into alleged malpractice by Asian football powerbroker Mohamed Bin Hammam, which has seriously split his increasingly dysfunctional confederation, reaches a crucial stage within the next 48 hours during which FIFA-appointed United States investigators must decide what action to take against him, if any.
Nonkonyana brands players abandoning African Nations Cup “selfish and egotistical”
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – The chairman of the local organising committee for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, has branded players opting out of the continent’s showpiece event as “selfish and egotistical”.
CONCACAF integrity committee starts to right past wrongs
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – Two months after its first meeting, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football’s (CONCACAF) new integrity committee, set up to clean up the body after an unsavoury period of blood-letting, is beginning getting to grips with the misdemeanours of the past.
Dutch youth players beat linesman to death
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – Dutch football and society in general has been left shocked and bewildered after a part-time volunteer linesman officiating in a youth league died from severe head injuries apparently sustained while being savagely beaten by a group of teenage players.
It was not the right time for Brazil to sack Menezes, insists Zagallo
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – Brazilian football authorities should have kept faith with Mario Menezes instead of sacking him just 18 months out from the FIFA World Cup, according to Mário Zagallo, one of Brazil’s greatest names.
Senegal face CAF ban and fine following riot
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – Senegal have been banned from using their main stadium in Dakar for African competition for a year following riots in October, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed.
Bailey named executive director of new US women’s league
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – Former national team general manager Cheryl Bailey has been appointed executive director of the new United States women’s league that begins next spring – the third attempt at trying to create a successful model.
Football officials resume talks on divided Cyprus
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – Significant strides have been made to bridge the footballing divide in Cyprus following breakthrough talks between Greek and Turkish representatives – the first since early 2008.
Russia begins drawing up multi-billion dollar infrastructure plan for 2018 World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
December 4 – A massive infrastructure project has been launched in Russia to ensure that the country is ready to host the 2018 World Cup.
Scottish leagues to be revamped to boost revenue and attendances
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – A revolutionary blueprint has been agreed to revive Scottish football and make it more meaningful and competitive.
Eritrean players disappear to seek asylum in Uganda
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – As many as 18 Eritrean players are understood to be considering seeking asylum in Uganda after disappearing while playing in a regional tournament.
Park hit with ban and fine following London 2012 political protest
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – South Korea’s Park Jong-Woo, whose political protest sparked a diplomatic row with Japan at the London 2012 Olympics, has been banned for two games by FIFA and fined 3,500 Swiss francs (£2,400/$3,800/€2,900), football’s world governing body said today.
Cross-continent Euro 2020 “destroys spirit of the competition” says Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke has poured scorn on Michel Platini’s revolutionary plan to stage the UEFA European Championship finals in 2020 across 12 different countries.