Zwanziger continues to doubt ethics of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – The man who replaced Franz Beckenbauer at the top table of FIFA has again questioned the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
Manchester City launch global membership programme with special benefits for UAE fans
By David Gold
October 23 – Manchester City have launched an international membership programme, which give members access to a range of benefits, including dedicated fan zones, entry to exclusive competitions and offers on club merchandise.
Blatter plans for reform welcomed by Transparency International
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Sepp Blatter’s radical new proposals for weeding out corruption have been given a cautious welcome by the Transparency International, the pressure group that has been advising FIFA.
Porter to lead US team to Olympic qualification
By David Gold
October 21 – American soccer coach Caleb Porter (pictured) will be in charge of the American football team aiming to qualify for next summer’s London Olympic Games.
Cameroon qualify for London 2012 after penalty shootout
By David Gold
October 22 – Cameroon’s women’s football team edged out Nigeria to take their place at the London 2012 Olympic Games, after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory, with the sides unable to be separated after 210 minutes of play.
Woman coach for FC Zurich? Why not, says club President
By David Gold
October 22 – FC Zurich President Ancillo Canepa (pictured) claims he can see a day when a woman will coach a men’s football team, though he does not think it will be in the next few years.
Barcelona open doors to “New Masia” for next generation of football greats
By David Gold
October 21 – European champions Barcelona have unveiled their “New Masia” academy as they look to find future stars of the game to follow the path trodden by Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
Mihir Bose: Marcel Schmid bravely predicts women’s football will influence the male game
The theme of this year’s International Football Arena (IFA) conference, Football: from craze to madness, may suggest we face a sporting Armageddon. But Marcel Schmid, the man whose brainchild the conference is, refuses to take a pessimistic view of the state of the game.
“The football world is upside down, but the world is upside down, isn’t it?,” he says. “It is not only football in a state of chaos,
Playing in Team GB risks Scotland’s independence, warns Brown
By David Gold
October 21 – Former Scotland player and manager Craig Brown (pictured) has warned that Scottish players choosing to play for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games will be placing the country’s independence in world football in jeopardy.
FIFA to reopen ISL case, Blatter announces
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 21 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today unveiled an unprecedented “road map to reform” to help football’s battered world governing body get back on its feet after years of mistrust and deceit.
Marcel Schmid bravely predicts women’s football will influence the male game
By Mihir Bose
October 21 – The theme of this year’s International Football Arena (IFA) conference, Football: from craze to madness, may suggest we face a sporting Armageddon. But Marcel Schmid, the man whose brainchild the conference is, refuses to take a pessimistic view of the state of the game.
Football “in danger” if Sion win, FIFA warn
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 20 – Football would be “in danger” if other teams follow the example of Swiss club Sion and go to the civil courts to try and resolve footballing disputes, FIFA warned here today.
Teams face tough schedule at Brazil 2014
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 20 – FIFA performed a complete U-turn today when they announced the preliminary match schedule for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, forcing teams to fly the length and breadth of the country.
It’s time for Blatter to put his money where his mouth is
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 20 – Almost five months after being elected for a final term as FIFA President pledging zero tolerance, it’s D-Day for Sepp Blatter who now has to put his money where his mouth is – if you will excuse the unfortunate choice of phrase.
“Women’s football will experience the same success as women’s tennis,” insists Haenni
By David Gold
October 20 – FIFA’s head of women’s competitions, Tatjana Haenni, believes that women’s football can replicate the success of women’s tennis and compete on a par with the men’s game in the future.