Inside World Football - Page 1976 of 2159 - For the Business of Football

David Owen: When all is said and done, Havelange was one of the towering figures of 20th century sport

David Owen_small1

The weekend reports claiming that João Havelange had resigned as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) brought to mind two images from recent IOC Sessions.

The first is from Copenhagen in 2009.

The Brazilian, who as FIFA President once shared with the late Juan Antonio Samaranch the billing of ‘Most Powerful Man in World Sport’, is inviting fellow members of the IOC club to Rio de Janeiro to celebrate his 100th birthday in 2016.

Archive

Bulgarian PM wants player of year award scrapped after scooping the prize

Boyko Borisov_05-12-11

By David Gold

December 5 – After winning the Bulgarian player of the year award ahead of Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov (pictured) has called for the abolition of the prize.

Africa

Senegal, Gabon, Egypt and Morocco remain in battle for London 2012 spots

gabon v_ivory_coast_05-12-11

By David Gold

December 5 – Four African teams remain in the hunt for a place at the London 2012 Olympic Games football tournament, with Senegal facing Gabon and Egypt taking on hosts Morocco in the crucial semi-finals.

Archive

Messi tipped for third successive Ballon D’Or

ballon dor_nominees_05-12-11

By David Gold

December 5 – Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (pictured right) is in line for his third successive FIFA Ballon D’Or award after being confirmed on the final three-man shortlist alongside Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) and team mate Xavi (left).

Archive

Qatar donates friendly proceeds to Somalia famine victims

Brazil v_Egypt_in_Doha

By David Gold

December 5 – Qatar is donating $400,000 (£256,000/€300,000) generated in ticket proceeds from the recent friendly game between Brazil and Egypt in Doha, to the victims of famine in Somalia.

Archive

Court of Arbitration for Sport set date for Bin Hammam hearing

Mohamed Bin_Hammam_behind_name_badge

By Andrew Warshaw

December 5 – Beleaguered former Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam will have the first of his two appeal hearings on January 23 at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Archive

FIFA do not feel welcome in England, claims Valcke

Jerome Valcke_Zurich_October_21_2011

By Andrew Warshaw

December 6 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke (pictured) has fuelled further tension between the world governing body and English football by suggesting that they not always feel welcome in the country.

Archive

Havelange resigns from IOC after nearly half-a-century as member to avoid expulsion

Joao Havelange_at_book_launch

By Duncan Mackay

December 4 – Joao Havelange, the former controversial President of FIFA, has resigned as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to avoid being expelled from the organisation he has served for nearly 50 years.

Archive

Blatter says England yet to come to terms with missing out on 2018 World Cup

Sepp Blatter_at_AFC_Awards_November_2011

By Andrew Warshaw

December 4 – FIFA Pesident Sepp Blatter has re-opened his feud with English football by saying the country has still not come to terms with losing out on the 2018 World Cup.

Archive

Brazil’s 1982 World Cup captain Sócrates dies

Scrates

By David Gold

December 4 – Sócrates, one of the world’s greatest midfielders and Brazil’s captain at the 1982 World Cup, has died in a São Paulo hospital at the age of 57, casting a shadow over the final weekend of the Brazilian Championship.

Archive

Ukraine came close to losing Euro 2012, admits head of FA

Grygoriy Surkis_with_Euro_trophy_05-12-11

By Andrew Warshaw

December 3 – The head of the Ukrainian half of Euro 2012 has revealed for the first time how close the country came to being stripped of hosting rights with Poland.

Mihir Bose

Mihir Bose: As football becomes more of a business, moving jobs for money is no longer a sin

Mihir Bose_blog_picture1

We may have reached an historic moment with modern, highly paid footballers. They may finally be ready to tell the truth when they move club. The truth is that what motivates them is not the glory of the club they are going to, nor its wonderful supporters, nor even the honours they might win, but how much money the new club will put in their bank account.

I have long believed that the refrain of modern footballers,

Archive

Nancy pulls out of hosting games during Euro 2016

Marcel Picot_stadium

By David Gold

December 2 – Nancy will not be hosting games during the 2016 European Championships after the French city was unable to find agree a deal to renovate the Marcel Picot Stadium.

Archive

Report calls for salaries to be cut in Australian football

A-League action

By David Gold

December 2 – Football Federation Australia (FFA) has welcomed and accepted the recommendations of the Smith Review, following the publication of the organisation’s strategic plan earlier this week.

Archive

Euro 2012 draw pits Germany against old rivals Netherlands

Euro 2012_draw_with_Germany_and_Holland_group

By David Gold

December 2 – Old rivals Germany and the Netherlands will face each other in Group B of the 2012 European Championships, being co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, following the draw today in Kiev, where the final of next summer’s tournament will take place.