Bilbao could sue Bayern over Martínez signing
By David Gold
September 5 – Athletic Bilbao President Josu Urrutia has indicated that the Basque club could sue German giants Bayern Munich over the signing of Javi Martínez.
Gill to put club allegiances aside to claim seat at UEFA’s top table
By Andrew Warshaw
September 5 – Manchester United chief executive David Gill admits he will have to put his club allegiances to one side to clinch a place on UEFA’s top table next year.
Lithuanian football boss suspended over embezzlement allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
September 5 – The head of the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF), Julius Kvedaras, has been suspended for allegedly misusing federation funds donated by UEFA.
Russian Premier lambasts “disgraceful” St Petersburg stadium construction
By David Gold
September 4 – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has launched a blistering attack on the construction efforts for a new stadium in St Petersburg for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
African confederation passes rule restricting eligibility for top job
By Andrew Warshaw
September 4 – African football officials, so often accused of being mired in political skullduggery, have formally adopted controversial new rules banning anyone outside their inner sanctum from running the sport in the continent.
Olympic bad boy Park earns shot at redemption with South Korea national side
By Andrew Warshaw
September 4 – South Korean Park Jong-Woo, controversially banned from receiving his bronze medal at London 2012 for displaying a political message, has been called up by his country’s senior squad for the first time for a FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifier.
Russian football elects nation’s Olympic Committee executive director as new head
By David Gold
September 3 – Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) executive director Nikolai Tolstykh has been elected as the new President of the country’s football association and is set to play a leading role in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup there in 2018.
Al-Wasl move into UAE’s first air-conditioned stadium
By David Gold
September 3 – United Arab Emirates Football League club Al-Wasl will play in the country’s first air-conditioned stadium, paving the way for similar venues to be constructed elsewhere in the area.
World Cup 2014 official ball to be dubbed Brazuca, following Brazilian poll
By Andrew Warshaw
September 3 – The official match ball for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals will be named Brazuca, a term used by Brazilians to describe national pride in the country’s way of life and which symbolises emotion and pride.
Swedish player Brännström collapses and dies mid-match
By David Gold
September 3 – Swedish player Victor Brännström died yesterday after collapsing during a second division match between Piteå and Umedalens.
I am certain I can put FIFA back in good order, insists Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
September 3 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has no intention of standing down before his final term of office is completed – and still believes UEFA boss Michel Platini is his most likely successor despite the pair drifting apart in recent months.
Sundhage steps down as US women’s coach following double Olympic triumph
By David Gold
September 2 – United States women’s football coach Pia Sundhage, who led the country to a third successive Olympic gold medal in London this summer, is stepping down to return to her native Sweden.
Reports that Rio will host Brazil 2014 quarterfinal match denied
By David Gold
September 1 – FIFA and Brazil 2014 have denied reports that Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã could stage a quarterfinal of the World Cup.
RFU accounts under investigation
By David Gold
September 1 – The Russian Audit Chamber has launched an investigation into the Russian Football Union (RFU) accounts.
Goal-line technology? Not in our back yard, declares adamant UEFA chief Platini
By Andrew Warshaw in Monaco
August 31 – UEFA President Michel Platini today reiterated that European football’s governing body would never embrace goal-line technology – and denounced FIFA boss Sepp Blatter for unilaterally supporting its implementation at the next World Cup.