Seiko sign up USA goalkeeper as latest ambassador
By David Gold
April 9 – Hope Solo (pictured), the Olympic gold medal winning goalkeeper of the United States women’s football team, has signed a sponsorship deal with Seiko Watches.
Gold Coast United axed from A-League and replaced with new Sydney team
By David Gold
April 7 – The Australian Football Federation (FFA) has officially announced that Gold Coast United will be axed from next season’s A-League and replaced with a new team in West Sydney.
World Cup stadiums are on schedule despite being half-finished, claims Brazil 2014
By David Gold
April 7 – With less than 800 days to go until the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, more than half of the stadiums being used are less than half way through construction or renovation, but should be completed by the close of 2013.
West Ham Olympic Stadium bid is fundamentally flawed, slams Leyton Orient’s chairman
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – West Ham United’s bid to move into the Olympic Stadium two years after London 2012 is “fundamentally flawed”, according to Barry Hearn (pictured), chairman of Leyton Orient who has long been fiercely opposed to the move for fear his own club could go out of existence.
Football Dreaming initiative hopes to make recruitment of more indigenous stars a reality in Australia
By David Gold
April 6 – The Australian Football Federation (FFA) has launched an initiative designed to encourage more indigenous Australians to take up the sport.
Ginola slander suit thrown out of French court
By David Gold
April 6 – Former France winger David Ginola (pictured) has lost his defamation and slander case against former national team coach Gérard Houllier over comments made following a World Cup 1994 qualifier.
Manchester United star would be “natural candidate” to play for Mexican Olympic team says coach
By David Gold
April 6 – Javier Hernandez (pictured) would be “a natural candidate” for the Mexico squad taking part in this summer’s Olympic football tournament in London, his country’s Olympic team coach has said.
Fabrice Muamba takes first steps since cardiac arrest
By Andrew Warsaw
April 5 – Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba (pictured) has taken his first steps unaided as he continues his remarkable recovery from his on-field cardiac arrest on March 17.
Spartak Moscow owner vows to stamp out racism at Russian games
By David Gold
April 5 – Spartak Moscow is creating a programme to help tackle racism and anti-semitism in Russian football, its owner Leonid Fedun has revealed.
Former director Paul Murray among four final bidders for Rangers
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – The administrators trying to save Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers received four “best and final” bids from prospective new buyers for the ailing club by the deadline yesterday.
Exclusive: ECA “astonished” at FIFA’s new London 2012 player release rule
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – FIFA’s controversial mandate making the release of under 23 players for London 2012 compulsory has “astonished” Europe’s leading clubs in what could herald yet another standoff between the clubs and world football’s governing body.
Porto hit with €20,000 fine after Balotelli racism incident
By Andrew Warshaw
April 4 – UEFA have fined Porto €20,000 (£17,000/$26,000) after a section of fans racially abused Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli during a Europa League game in February.
Somalia’s Olympic and football bosses killed in Mogadishu suicide bomb
By Andrew Warshaw
April 4 – The heads of Somalia’s Olympic Committee and football federation were among at least seven people killed today in a suicide bomb blast in the capital Mogadishu.
Valcke’s Brazil 2014 gaffe continues to haunt him as he’s snubbed by Government
By Andrew Warshaw
April 4 – FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke’s (pictured) fraught relationship with Brazil 2014 is again taking centre stage amid reports that he has been snubbed by the Brazilian Government in the continuing fallout over his infamous “kick up the backside” remarks.
Kiwis crush Papua New Guinea to book London 2012 berth
By David Gold
April 4 – The line-up for the London 2012 women’s football tournament is now complete after New Zealand annihilated Papua New Guinea 15-0 on aggregate in the final Oceania group qualifying tie.