Thailand kicked out of Olympic football qualifiers
By David Gold
May 4 – Thailand has been expelled from qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games in London after fielding a suspended player during the first qualifying round.
ECN sign deal to market Chelsea stars
By David Gold
May 4 – ECN Management has partnered with Chelsea to market some of its star players, including David Luiz and Fernando Torres, both signed in the last transfer window.
Canada concludes tour of candidate cities for Women’s World Cup
By David Gold
May 4 – Canada’s Soccer Association (CSA) has finished its inspection of the candidate cities for the 2014 FIFA under-20 Women’s World Cup and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which were awarded to them earlier this year.
FIFA to experiment with goal-line technology
By Andrew Warshaw
May 4 – The introduction of goal-line technology, the debate over which burst into the spotlight again last weekend, has edged a step closer with FIFA announcing a two-stage testing programme for determining whether the ball is over the line.
Arsenal announce partnership with Indesit
By David Gold
May 3 – Arsenal has announced a three year partnership with home appliance manufacturer Indesit to help drive their business in the UK and Europe.
Blatter must wait to see if CONCACAF will back him for President
By Andrew Warshaw
May 3 – The 35-strong CONCACAF Confederation today delayed its decision on who to back in the FIFA Presidential election after Sepp Blatter’s rival, Mohamed Bin Hammam, was denied access to attend its Congress in Miami.
Exclusive: FIFA letter guaranteeing independence makes no difference to Team GB opponents
By Andrew Warshaw
May 3 – The three British Football Associations refusing to take part in next year’s Olympic Games look set to continue their boycott despite a written guarantee from FIFA that a unified team will not affect their individual independence.
“Clean Games” anti-corruption scheme launched to monitor Brazil 2014 preparations
By Duncan Mackay
May 2 – A new $3.1 million (£1.8 million) scheme has been launched by the Ethos Institute of Business and Social Responsibility and the United Nations Global Compact to try to ensure that the build-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro remain free of corruption.
Exclusive: Bin Hammam denied US visa to attend CONCACAF Congress
By Andrew Warshaw
May 2 – FIFA Presidential challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam was left a frustrated figure today after being denied a visa to attend tomorrow’s CONCACAF Congress in Miami, potentially the most critical phase in the race for the top job in world football.
Japan arrange June friendlies with Peru and Czech Republic
By David Gold
May 2 – Japan has arranged international friendlies with Peru and the Czech Republic next month after reassuring their opponents over potential health risks due to the country’s ongoing nuclear crisis.
Blatter and Bin Hammam take Presidential battle to Miami
By Andrew Warshaw
May 2 – The next critical phase on the campaign trail for the FIFA Presidency takes place in Miami tomorrow when the present incumbent Sepp Blatter and his challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam attempt to secure the all-important support of CONCACAF’S 35 member nations.
Heineken launch new Champions League Iphone application
By David Gold
May 2 – Heineken has launched a new Iphone application which aims to involve viewers watching UEFA Champions League matches through a game, Star Player, which allows users to anticipate key moments during matches.
Parliamentary Inquiry seeks answers from FA and Premier League over “conflict of interests”
By David Gold
May 1 – The Parliamentary inquiry into football governance is seeking answers over the award of merchandise contracts to Glue Creative Production Solutions, a company which is part owned by the son of Sir Dave Richards (pictured), the Premier League chairman.
David Owen: Blatter’s pledge for World Cup vote reform is clever but will it change anything?
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It would have been hard for the candidates in FIFA’s Presidential election to avoid the subject of World Cup vote reform.
And in fairness to Joseph Blatter, his latest proposals came as a direct response to an interviewer’s question.
Nonetheless, several points need to be made about the FIFA President’s “positive solution” for preventing a repetition of the “uncomfortable experience I had here in Zurich on 2 December”.
Blatter wins South America’s backing in FIFA Presidential race as he comes face-to-face with rival
By Andrew Warshaw
April 30 – South America’s Confederation has announced it will back Sepp Blatter in the forthcoming FIFA Presidential campaign against Mohamed Bin Hammam.