Blatter in U-turn over dates for Qatar 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
February 7 – Sepp Blatter appears to have performed a major U-turn over the 2022 Qatar World Cup, now declaring the tournament will be held in summer after all.
Banned FIFA Executive Committee member to take case to CAS
By Andrew Warshaw
Febuary 7 – Amos Adamu, one of the two FIFA powerbrokers banned over the World Cup cash-for-votes scandal, is to take his case all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after an Appeals Committee upheld the three-year sanction against him.
Sir Bobby Charlton upset over Qatar 2022 decision
By Mike Rowbottom in Abu Dhabi
February 6 – Sir Bobby Charlton, part of England’s delegation which supported the failed bid for the 2018 World Cup finals in December, has spoken out here against the decision to award the 2022 tournament to Qatar.
Exclusive: Spurs fans are 10-1 against Olympic Park move, claims FSF poll
By Mike Rowbottom
February 3 – The majority of Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United fans are opposed to their clubs taking over the Olympic Stadium site once the London 2012 Games are over, with Spurs fans almost 10-1 against, according to an extensive poll by the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF).
Goal-line technology on the agenda for FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
February 5 – FIFA have confirmed that goal-line technology will definitely be on the agenda at next month’s meeting of the game’s lawmakers – despite opposition from UEFA President Michel Platini.
Whole country behind West Ham Olympic Stadium bid
By Mike Rowbottom
February 4 – Support for West Ham United and Newham Council’s joint proposal for the Olympic Stadium and its legacy has spread across the nation.
Disgraced FIFA Executive Committee duo lose appeals
By Andrew Warshaw
February 4 – The two disgraced members of FIFA’s all-powerful Executive Committee today lost their respective appeals against being suspended as part of the infamous cash-for-votes World Cup scandal.
Long-term legacy paramount for stadium’s future, says AEG President
By Andrew Warshaw
February 6 – The President of AEG Europe, Tottenham Hotspur’s partners in their proposed move to the Olympic Stadium after next year’s London Games, has warned yet again the venue will become a white elephant funded by taxpayers if rivals West Ham are chosen as the preferred bidder.
Calls for Ukraine federation President to resign are dropped
By Andrew Warshaw
February 3 – Ukraine has heeded UEFA’s threat to strip of them of Euro 2012 co-hosting rights by dropping calls for the departure of their federation’s long-time President, Hrigory Surkis (pictured).
It’s all Greek in broadcast battle for pub landlady
By Andrew Warshaw
February 3 – A surburban English publican has won a crucial stage in her claim to screen unauthorised live Premiership football in a landmark case described as potentially the Bosman of broadcasting.
Germany sign Barbie for World Cup
February 3 – The German Football Federation (DFB) is planning to cash in on hosting the Women’s World Cup in June with a football version of the children’s doll Barbie wearing the national team’s colours.
LMA agrees online media partnership with Yahoo!
February 3 – The League Managers Association (LMA) and Yahoo! have announced the launch of an online media partnership that will see video and print content from some of the biggest names in football management published across Yahoo!’s UK media platforms and social media channels.
FIFA Executive Committee members begin appeals against bans
By Andrew Warshaw
February 2 – Five of the six FIFA officials suspended after allegations of corruption over the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids formally began their appeal hearings today with no decision likely until Friday (February 4).
UEFA warn Premier League clubs will be banned if they break fair play rules
By Andrew Warshaw
February 2 – UEFA has issued a fresh reminder about overspending following the record-breaking January transfer window in the Premier League, including Fernando Torres’ £50 million ($81 million) move from Liverpool to Chelsea.
England Athletics attack “self appointed group” who want Tottenham to get Olympic Stadium
By Mike Rowbottom
February 2 – England Athletics, the official representative body for all English athletics clubs, has attacked the endorsement of Tottenham Hotspur’s bid for the Olympic Stadium by the Association of British Athletics Clubs (ABAC), claiming the body has “no legitimacy”.