Japan “withdraw from Copa America”
By David Gold
April 4 – Reports claim that Japan has officially withdrawn from the Copa America this summer, with Costa Rica or the United States favourites to take their place in July’s tournament.
Maracana to need new roof whilst new Manaus stadium enters second construction phase
By David Gold
April 2 – Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana, which is intended to host the final of 2014 World Cup, will need a new roof, Brazil Football Federation President Ricardo Teixeira has confirmed.
It’s official: Blatter v Bin Hammam for FIFA President
By Andrew Warshaw
April 2 – No new figurehead came forward to challenge Sepp Blatter and Mohamed Bin Hammam for the FIFA Presidency in the final hours before last night’s midnight deadline and the pair will now square off face to face in Zurich on June 1.
Jack Warner in new World Cup ticket scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
April 2 – Fresh claims have emerged over controversial FIFA vice-president Jack Warner’s alleged involvement in a World Cup ticket scandal.
Wahl ends bid to be FIFA President after no-one backs him
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – Grant Wahl, the American journalist who hoped to run for FIFA President, has withdrawn his candidacy after failing to gaining the required nomination from any of FIFA’s 208 member federations.
Clubs must not be victims in Bosnia row, says Rummenigge
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – European clubs today denounced the decision by FIFA and UEFA to stop Bosnia-Herzegovina playing European club competitions after the country was barred from all international football.
Bosnia Euro 2012 hopes are hit by FIFA ban
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – Bosnia-Herzegovina was suspended from international football today in arguably the most high profile case of a European country being sanctioned by FIFA.
Exclusive: Two Brazil 2014 World Cup stadiums in “critical situation” warn FIFA
By David Owen
March 31 – Two 2014 World Cup stadiums are struggling to meet FIFA’s construction deadline, world football’s governing body has indicated.
England need to rediscover “fighting spirit” claims Bierhoff
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
March 31 – England will never produce a winning national team unless they stop concentrating on short-term club success and adopt the German model of youth development.
Exclusive: Liverpool are one of “top three or four clubs in the world” players want to sign for
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
March 31 – Liverpool do not need to qualify for the Champions League in order to attract world-class players and rekindle past glories, their managing director Ian Ayre pledged today.
Newcastle aim for Europe despite financial losses
By David Gold
March 31 – Newcastle United have insisted that the club remains intent on re-establishing itself as a European contender despite recording a loss after player trading of £17.1 million ($27.4 million) for the year ending June 2010.
Brazil assures FIFA that Sao Paolo and Rio will be ready for Confederations Cup
By David Gold
March 31 – FIFA has been assured that São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro will be ready to host games at the 2013 Confederations Cup by Brazil Football Confederation President Ricardo Teixeira (pictured).
Chilean drops plans to challenge Blatter for FIFA Presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – With 24 hours to go before the deadline for FIFA Presidential nominations, former Chilean captain Elias Figueroa has decided not to run, it was announced today.
I’ll be back soon, says Toure
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
March 31 – Manchester City defender Kolo Toure made an unscheduled appearance at the Soccerex conference in Manchester today but refused to discuss the positive drugs test that has kept him out of action.
Loopholes in UEFA fair play rules must be “closed off” warn Liverpool
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
March 30 – UEFA’s new financial fair play rules will be “killed” unless sanctions are applied properly against clubs who break the rules and all loopholes are closed off, Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre warned today.