By Andrew Warshaw
December 20 – One of the most stringent punishments ever meted out by a national federation for racial abuse was imposed tonight on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez when he was banned for a staggering eight matches and fined £40,000 ($63,000/€48,000) by the English Football Association for comments allegedly made against Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.
By David Gold
December 20 – The Sevilla President, Jose Maria del Nido, has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of involvement in the embezzlement of public funds.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 20 – European clubs have called off a potentially ground-breaking peace deal with FIFA and UEFA that would have paved the way for easing the club-versus-country war after years of acrimony between the various parties.
By David Gold
December 20 – Japan is set to host the FIFA 2012 Women’s under-20 World Cup after Uzbekistan was stripped of the right to stage the event.
By David Gold
December 20 – A group representing West Ham United supporters, WHU’s view, have claimed to have reached an agreement with the club’s vice-chair Karren Brady to hold a thorough ballot before bidding to move into the Olympic Stadium, after the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) today re-opened the tender process for interested parties wishing to take on the tenancy of the venue after London 2012.
By David Gold
December 19 – Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are hoping to come to agreement with Scotland over their fees for the Carling Nations Cup tournament, which took place earlier this year, and avoid bringing FIFA into the dispute.
By David Gold
December 19 – Former Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni, who was banned from football for three-and-a-half years earlier in 2011, has been arrested today by police investigating another match fixing and betting scandal in the country.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 19 – Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) general secretary Tai Nicholas has been given a prominent place on one of FIFA’s four new anti-corruption platforms despite facing contempt proceedings from the Fijian Government.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 19 – British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan has given his backing to the decision that no players selected for England’s squad for the European Championship finals next summer will double up for Team GB at London 2012.
By Declan Warrington
December 18 – Glasgow Rangers have extended their drink partnerships with Coca-Cola Enterprises and Powerade for a further two years.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 18 – The head of the Swiss Football Association (SFV) has implied that FIFA bullied his federation into an impossible position by threatening a suspension from all international football over the Sion affair.
By David Gold
December 18 – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has indicated that he will not prevent his players from competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games next year, despite having previously stated his opposition to their participation.
By Duncan Mackay at the Ritz Carlton in Tokyo
December 18 – A plan to lift a controversial ban on women wearing a hijab, he Islamic headscarf, is set to be put before the International Football Association Board (IFAB) next year.
By Duncan Mackay at the Ritz Carlton in Tokyo
December 17 – Switzerland face the prospect of being banned from world football unless they take action against FC Sion, who have conducted a high-profile legal campaign to oveturn a ban from the Europa League.
By Duncan Mackay at the Ritz Carlton in Tokyo
December 17 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has thrown his full support behind Issa Hayatou, the head of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), who earlier this month was reprimanded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).