Brazilian riot raises safety concerns for 2014 World Cup
By David Gold
July 25 – A riot in a São Paulo derby between Guarani and Ponte Preta has raised fresh doubts on Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Blatter was out for revenge, claims Bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw
July 24 – Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam claims the life ban against him was an act of revenge for him standing against Sepp Blatter for FIFA President – and still insists he never paid bribes to anyone.
Bin Hammam isolated as Asia fails to offer him support after life ban
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
July 24 – Mohamed Bin Hammam today continued to protest his innocence after being given a life ban for bribery by FIFA but the lack of support for him, especially from Asia, was deafening.
Andrew Warshaw: Bin Hammam verdict puts spotlight back on Qatar 2022
Just when Qatar thought it could turn over the page and move on in an atmosphere of trust and integrity, along comes another distasteful saga to give its 2022 World Cup preparations an unwanted headache.
First things first. Mohamed Bin Hammam’s lifetime ban from all football activities in Zurich had nothing whatsoever to do with his country’s landslide victory per se.
Bin Hammam wasn’t initially even in favour of Qtar going ahead and only aligned himself to the bid once it was clear the project was an immoveable force that had the support of those who pull the purse strings.
Bin Hammam claims case against him is “bogus” and “based on lies” after life ban
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
July 23 – Mohamed Bin Hammam, the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), was today banned from football for life by FIFA, a decision announced by Petrus Damaseb (pictured), the acting head of the world governing body’s Ethics Committee.
Bin Hammam misses own hearing as he prepares for guilty verdict
By Andrew Warshaw
July 22 – Suspended Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam dramatically failed to show up for his eagerly anticipated hearing into FIFA’s worst ever bribery scandal, sources have now confirmed.
Fenerbahçe chairman denies involvement in match-fixing
By David Gold
July 22 – Fenerbahçe chairman Aziz Yıldırım has denied to a court any involvement in the match fixing scandal engulfing Turkish football and has also told the club’s fans that he would be stepping down from his post after the conclusion of the issue.
FIFA to trial goal-line technology systems
By David Gold
July 22 – FIFA has announced that nine different goal-line technology systems are set to be trialled between September and December by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials, Science and Technology.
Struggling players are being trafficked to fix matches, claims FIFA head of security
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – A former boss of Interpol now working for FIFA says struggling players from poorer nations are being recruited to rig results of matches in exchange for being promised lucrative contracts in Europe and South America.
Vinci gets go ahead for Bordeaux Stadium
By David Gold
July 22 – Mayor of Bordeaux Alain Juppé has announced that the Vinci Concession and Fayat architectural group has won the right to construct a new stadium in the city, which will host games at the 2016 European Championships.
Women’s World Cup final draws in a sell-out crowd as popularity of the sport soars
By David Gold
July 22 – The popularity of the Women’s World Cup, which concluded last Sunday (July 17) with Japan’s dramatic penalty shoot out win against the United States, was demonstrated by provisional profit figures and the success of MATCH Hospitality in selling 28,000 commercial hospitality packages for the tournament.
Poland completes Euro 2012 stadium with just under a year to go
By David Gold
July 22 – Poland has completed construction on the stadium in Gdansk which is set to host games during next year’s European Championships, that are being jointly co-hosted with Ukraine.
Fulham take Dave Richards case to Supreme Court
By David Gold
July 22 – Fulham are taking their case to have Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards’ removed from his role over alleged involvement the transfer of then Portsmouth forward Peter Crouch to Tottenham Hotspur in 2009 to the Supreme Court, the club has confirmed.
Brazil will be ready for World Cup, claims Sports Minister
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Brazil’s Sports Minister Orlando Silva has attempted to dismiss fears surrounding the country’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup by insisting that all 12 stadia will be completed by the end of 2013.
Bin Hammam slams FIFA on eve of trial
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Suspended Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam has come out fighting ahead of his showdown with FIFA’s Ethics Committee by repeating assertions of a concerted campaign to prove him guilty prematurely.