British Olympic football squad to be no more
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – The Olympic football tournament will no longer feature a men’s British team, the Football Association (FA) confirmed today.
13 football venues shortlisted for England 2015 Rugby World Cup
By Tom Degun
October 10 – A total of 13 of the 17 venues that have been shortlisted for the England 2015 Rugby World Cup are football venues.
Zimbabwe misses out on FIFA match-fixing investigation grant
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has lost out on a grant to help fund match-fixing investigations after failing to meet a deadline set by FIFA.
Russia 2018 sets visa-free regime for World Cup ticket holders
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – Russia 2018 has reiterated plans to scrap visa requirements for fans – provided they have FIFA World Cup tickets.
FIFA fails to reach decision over Park Jong-Woo’s political message at London 2012
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – FIFA has mysteriously postponed its verdict into Park Jong-Woo, the South Korean footballer who was banned from receiving his Olympic bronze medal for displaying a political message at London 2012.
Cole charged by FA over Twitter row
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – England defender Ashley Cole has been charged by the Football Association (FA) following comments he made on Twitter.
Paes re-elected Mayor of Rio de Janeiro through 2014 World Cup
By Tom Degun
October 8 – Eduardo Paes has been re-elected as the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil’s municipal elections meaning that he will hold the prestigious position when the country hosts the FIFA 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, as well as the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Kuban Krasnodar fans protest 2018 World Cup hosting snub
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – Fans of Russian Premier League club Kuban Krasnodar have written to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and FIFA boss Sepp Blatter protesting that their city was not chosen as one of the host venues for the 2018 World Cup.
Champagne calls for greater democracy within Blatter’s reform process
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – Jérôme Champagne, an influential former FIFA administrator says the reform process instigated by Sepp Blatter, while “starting to adapt to the 21st century”, fails to address the need for greater democracy within the organisation.
Cole to face disciplinary action after Twitter outburst
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – Chelsea are to take disciplinary action against their England fullback Ashley Cole after his infamous Tweet against the Football Association (FA).
Venue changed for South Africa friendly in Poland for safety reasons
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – South Africa’s upcoming away friendly against Poland this Friday (October 12) has been switched to the capital after the original venue refused to allow the match to take place.
Terry’s punishment is not strong enough, claims PFA boss
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – The boss of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) says the four-match ban meted out by the Football Association (FA) to former England captain John Terry for racist abuse was not a strong enough penalty.
Hampden Park to close for one year for Glasgow 2014 preparations
By Tom Degun in Glasgow
October 7 – Hampden Park, Scotland’s national football stadium, will be closed for a year from November 2013 when the facility is converted into a temporary athletics venue for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Clichy signs new partnership with Puma
By David Gold
October 6 – Puma has agreed a new partnership with French international and Manchester City left back Gaël Clichy, who will wear the brand’s evoSPEED 1FG boots.
Cole apologises over Twitter outburst at FA
By Andrew Warshaw
October 5 – The John Terry racism saga burst into fresh controversy today when Terry’s England and Chelsea teamate Ashley Cole blasted the Football Association (FA) for criticising his role in the case.