Brazil airport renovation rights auctioned ahead of 2014 World Cup
By David Gold
February 7 – Brazil has auctioned off the rights to overhaul three key airports which are being renovated for the 2014 World Cup.
Inaugural UKFA Gary Speed symposium called off to raise funds
By Andrew Warshaw
February 7 – A football symposium renamed in honour of former Welsh manager Gary Speed has been postponed in order to buy more time for fundraising.
Former ZIFA chief executive Rushwaya arrested as “Asiagate” continues
By Andrew Warshaw
February 7 – A former chief executive of the Zimbabwean Football Federation (ZIFA), Henrietta Rushwaya (pictured centre), will stand trial later this month on charges related to one of football’s worst ever match fixing scandals.
World Cup warm up matches were targeted by illegal betting ring, says SAFA official Kika
By Andrew Warshaw
February 7 – A series of warm up games immediately before South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup were “probably” targeted by Asian illegal match fixing syndicates, according to a leading South African Football Association (SAFA) official.
It’s like someone gave us the keys and changed the locks, says West Ham’s Brady over Olympic Stadium debacle
By David Gold
February 6 – West Ham vice chair Karren Brady (pictured) has said the club is still committed to a move to the Olympic Stadium.
Our main goal is to win the 2018 World Cup, says Russian Football Union President Fursenko
By David Gold
February 6 – Russian Football Union (RFU) President Sergey Fursenko is determined that the country becomes a European football superpower, and has underlined their ambition to lift the World Cup on home soil in 2018.
Indonesian takeover ensures Brisbane will continue to roar
By David Gold
February 5 – Australian champions Brisbane Roar have been fully taken over by Indonesia’s Bakrie Group, who had purchased a 70 per cent share in the club last October.
Blatter faces another setback as ISL dossier is delayed by Swiss Supreme Court case
By Andrew Warshaw
February 6 – The long awaited release of documents detailing FIFA’s dealings with its former marketing agency ISL looks set to be further delayed, this time by several months, after appeals to block publication and keep the file secret were sent to Switzerland’s Supreme Court.
Blatter moves to reinstate Egyptian Football Association Board
By Andrew Warshaw
February 5 – Just days after Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri sacked the entire Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Board in the wake of the Port Said riots in which 74 people died, FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) is taking immediate steps to reinstate the relevant officials.
Lord Triesman backs decision to strip England captaincy from John Terry
By Andrew Warshaw
February 5 – Former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman (pictured) has backed the decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy over racism allegations levelled against him.
Terry should keep the England captain’s armband, insists Capello
By Andrew Warshaw
February 5 – The John Terry (pictured left) saga has taken a new twist with England coach Fabio Capello publicly criticising his bosses at the English Football Association for stripping his skipper of the national team captaincy over the racism affair.
Court demands end of strike by Brazil 2014 World Cup stadium workers
By David Gold
February 3 – A court has ordered workers involved in the construction of a stadium in Recife for the 2014 World Cup to end a strike which has lasted more than a week.
Chelsea defender John Terry stripped of England captaincy by the FA
By David Gold
February 3 – Chelsea defender John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy by the England Football Association (FA) chairman, David Bernstein, days after it was announced he would stand trial for allegedly racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in July.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter requests violence report from Egyptian FA
By Andrew Warshaw
February 3 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has requested a full report from Egyptian authorities over the violence that left 74 people dead and over 1,000 injured.
Lennart Johansson calls for FIFA President Sepp Blatter to step down
By Andrew Warshaw
February 3 – Former UEFA boss Lennart Johansson (pictured left) has called for FIFA President Sepp Blatter (right) to step down and hand over the reins now rather than at the end of his four-year term in 2015.