Senegal Football Federation’s bank accounts frozen by court order
By Andrew Warshaw
April 25 – Senegalese football has been thrown into chaos just as the country’s under-23 team bagged the final place at London 2012.
Bring on Brazil, declares buoyant British women’s coach Powell
By David Gold
April 25 – Britain’s women’s coach Hope Powell is relishing the prospect of pitting her wits against Brazil at the Olympic Games after the draw was made yesterday.
Rangers’ administrators slam “extraordinary” transfer embargo
By Andrew Warshaw
April 25 – Administrators running ailing Scottish powerhouse Glasgow Rangers have hit out at the club being handed a crippling transfer embargo, saying the move could affect the very survival of the 54-time Scottish champions.
Andrew Warshaw: Is the lack of fanfare at the London 2012 football draw a sign of things to come for the tournament?
There were no oooos and aaahhhs from either the dignitaries or the media seated respectfully in the bosom of the national stadium. Not much of the usual celebrity spotting. In fact, a minimum of razzmatazz.
Compared with the equivalent events preceding the World Cup and European Championships, it was all rather low key.
Yet there was no doubting the significance of today’s Olympic football draw at Wembley for organisers of London 2012.
Team GB footballers face tough London 2012 test following group draws
By David Gold at Wembley Stadium in London
April 24 – Britain’s women were paired with Brazil in the group stage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, while the men face an intriguing tussle with Copa America champions Uruguay after the draw here today.
London 2012 will raise profile of women’s football, believes GB coach Powell
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – England women’s football head coach Hope Powell believes London 2012 will at last provide a platform for showcasing the sport in a country where it long been male-dominated.
Ryanair plans may “dramatically” reduce Euro 2012 hotel costs for fans in Ukraine
By David Gold
April 24 – Fears over the escalating costs of hotel bookings in Ukraine ahead of this summer’s UEFA European Championships could be assuaged by an agreement with Ryanair that is reportedly close to being completed.
European politicians pour scorn over Sepp Blatter’s handling of ISL scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – Sepp Blatter has been accused of sweeping the notorious ISL bribery scandal under the table in a damning new report that heaps fresh embarrassment on the FIFA President and world football’s governing body.
Under-fire Fenerbahçe gets court date over match fixing scandal compensation claim
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – Disgraced Turkish champions Fenerbahçe is taking UEFA to sport’s highest court seeking €45 million (£37 million/$59 million) in compensation after being thrown out of this season’s Champions League for its role in the country’s ongoing match fixing scandal.
Move to finding buyer for crisis-hit Glasgow Rangers hits stumbling block
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – Hopes of finding a buyer for beleaguered Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers was further delayed today when administrators said they were still unable to name a preferred bidder.
Senegal beat Oman to clinch last football place at London 2012
By David Gold at the City of Coventry Stadium
April 23 – Senegal will make their Olympic football debut this summer after they won the final men’s qualifier here with a 2-0 victory over Oman.
Brazilian ace Carlos hits back at racists in hard-hitting TV advertisement
By David Gold
April 24 – Anzhi Makhachkala’s Roberto Carlos has told Russian football fans that “while you are throwing bananas I am fighting hunger in Brazil”.
Brazil ace Ronaldo to help preside over London 2012 football draws
By David Gold
April 23 – Former Brazil star Ronaldo will be the biggest name at the London 2012 Olympic Games football draw tomorrow – although Argentina, winner of the last two men’s tournaments, will be conspicuous by its absence.
Israeli FA appoint emergency committee following on-field brawl
By Andrew Warshaw
April 23 – Israel Football Association (IFA) chairman Avi Luzon has commissioned an emergency committee to deal with mounting unrest after the sport reached a new low in the country’s domestic league.
It’d be a dream to play in the Olympics, says Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi
By Andrew Warshaw
April 23 – Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi has spoken of his “dream” to play in the Olympics as one of the Gulf state’s three overage players if his country qualifies for London 2012.