Ronaldo to be public face of Brazil 2014
By Duncan Mackay at the Sheraton San Conrado in Rio de Janeiro
December 1 – Ronaldo was officially unveiled here today as the new face of the Organising Committee of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Gibbs insists “Olympics is the biggest stage”
By David Gold
December 1 – Arsenal and England left back Kieran Gibbs has said that he wants to play in the London 2012 Olympic Games for the Team GB football team, despite his club manager Arsene Wenger being vehemently opposed to the involvement of his players in the football tournament.
Drogba receives Humanitarian in Sport award
By David Gold
December 1 – Didier Drogba has been awarded the Humanitarian in Sport award by Beyond Sport, supported by Virgin Atlantic, recognising the work the Chelsea striker has done with The Didier Drogba Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme.
Ronaldo to be confirmed today as head of Brazil 2014 World Cup
By Duncan Mackay in Rio de Janeiro
December 1 – Ronaldo, the highest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup, will be cofirmed as the the new face of the 2014 World Cup here later today, insideworldfootball can reveal.
Polish Football Association dismiss secretary general as heat remains on Lato
By David Gold
November 30 – Poland’s Football Association (PZPN) has sacked secretary general Zdzislaw Krecina over a corruption scandal that could still bring down the organisation’s head, Grzegorz Lato.
Exclusive: West Ham reinstate Tompkins after Olympic Stadium row
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – Ian Tompkins (pictured), the man who spearheaded West Ham United’s aborted move to the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 is back in work four months after being suspended, insideworldfootball can reveal.
Pieth calls for shorter terms and tougher screening of FIFA’s inner sanctum
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – The Swiss academic charged with cleaning up FIFA has recommended limited terms for the organisation’s inner sanctum – including the President (pictured left) – and far more scrutiny when it comes to screening key decision makers.
Hosts Morocco on winning streak at London 2012 football qualifiers
By David Gold
November 30 – Morocco have made a superb start in their bid to reach London 2012 after winning the first two games of the African football qualifying tournament they are hosting.
Premiership clubs will benefit from players appearing in Olympics, insists Coe
By David Gold
November 30 – London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe (pictured) has said that Manchester United and other teams could benefit from their players participating in the Olympic Games football tournament next summer.
Portsmouth face losing points as parent firms folds
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – Crisis-torn English club Portsmouth could be docked points after its parent company, controlled by Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov (pictured), entered administration.
Andrew Warshaw: Gary Speed suicide shows high-profile football figures not immune to pressures of life
Bill Shankly, the legendary former Liverpool manager, is remembered for many things, not least his famous remark – paraphrased by all and sundry since – that football isn’t life and death, it’s far more important.
If ever that observation, made in good faith at the time by a passionate man who lived and breathed the game, was shown up to be somewhat of an exaggeration, it is right now as the football world continues to take stock of Gary Speed’s untimely death.
Cruyff and fellow Board members ousted from Ajax
By David Gold
November 29 – Ajax Amsterdam’s members have asked club legend Johan Cruyff, and his four fellow Advisory Board members, to step down from their positions to resolve a bitter dispute between them.
Euro 2012 co-hosts hit by Lato corruption allegations
By David Gold
November 29 – The head of Poland’s Football Association (PZPN), Grzegorz Lato, has promised he will comply with an investigation, triggered by Sports Minister Joana Mucha, which is looking into allegations he was involved in corruption.
Platini praises preparations for Euro 2016
By David Gold
November 29 – UEFA President Michel Platini has said that preparations for the 2016 European Championships, which will take place in France, “are going well.”
Turkey reduces prison sentences for individuals found guilty of match fixing
By David Gold
November 29 – Turkey has decided to reduce the maximum prison term individuals convicted of involvement in match fixing can serve from 12 years to three, as a match fixing scandal continues to be investigated by the country’s Football Federation.