Blatter satisfied with Brazil 2014 progress
By David Gold
April 14 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said that world football’s governing body “do not have any problem” with progress being made by Brazil in preparation for the 2014 World Cup.
South Africa ready to drop Bafana Bafana nickname
By David Gold
April 14 – South Africa’s national football team could be set for a name change due to a trademark dispute, with the country’s football federation (SAFA) admitting that they are undecided on whether to drop the “Bafana Bafana” nickname.
England 2018 should not have spent so much money on bid claims London Mayor advisor
By Tom Degun at City Hall in London
April 14 – Costs on England’s disastrous bid to host the 2018 World Cup should have been kept much tighter, one of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s closest advisors has claimed.
London Mayor to blame for Olympic Stadium controversy claims Tottenham MP
By Duncan Mackay
April 14 – London Mayor Boris Johnson (pictured) has been urged to get involved to end the row over the future of the Olympic Stadium which is facing the prospect of being at the centre of a lengthy legal battle after Tottenham Hotspur launched the first steps in demanding a judicial review.
J-League back Japan’s participation in Copa America
By David Gold
April 14 – Japan could be set to reverse its decision to withdraw from the Copa America after the country’s J-League backed the national team’s trip to compete in the tournament this summer.
Atlanta Olympic champions Nigeria next up on road to London for giant-killing Tanzania
By David Gold
April 14 – Giant killers Tanzania will have to repeat their stunning heroics against Cameroon in the last round of African qualifiers for the 2012 Olympic Football tournament if they are to keep their hopes alive of playing in London next year, after being drawn against Nigeria.
Bin Hammam FIFA hopes boosted by African support
By Andrew Warshaw
April 14 – Mohamed Bin Hammam’s quest to topple Sepp Blatter for the FIFA Presidency has received its first significant boost with the relevation that a majority of African countries would vote for the Qatari underdog.
Maracana gets green light for new roof
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By David Gold
April 13 – The Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro has been given the green light for a new roof as part of its renovation ahead of the Brazil 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio de JaneiroOlympic Games.
Tottenham to take Newham Council to High Court over London 2012 Olympic Stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Tottenham Hotspur have taken the first step in their efforts to secure a judicial review to overturn the decision to hand the £537 million ($836 million) Olympic Stadium to Premier League rivals West Ham United after next year’s Games.
Usmanov refusing to sell shares to Kroenke
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By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov is refusing to sell his stake in Arsenal, seemingly determined to stop majority owner Stan Kroenke from gaining any further control of the Premier League club.
Beckham may continue to play in MLS next season
By David Gold
April 13 – David Beckham, in the final year of his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy, has said that it is possible he could remain in Major League Soccer (MLS) after the end of the season.
FIFPro calls for greater protection for Eastern European players
By David Gold
April 13 – FIFPro, the worldwide footballers’ union, has said that footballers in Eastern Europe need to be better protected from the risks of violence, racism and match fixing.
Report highlights challenge of racist abuse and discrimination in Poland and Ukraine
By David Gold
April 13 – The Never Again Association, in cooperation with Football Against Prejudices, has released a report documenting the scale of racist and discriminatory behavior in Poland and Ukraine, the host countries for the 2012 European Championships, in the last 18 months.
Survey suggests Middle East fans prefer La Liga
By David Owen
April 12 – Spain’s La Liga is more popular in the fast-developing Middle East and North African sports region than the English Premier League, new research suggests.
Indomitable Lions tamed by Tanzania in Olympic qualifiers
By David Gold
April 11 – Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalists Cameroon will not be competing at London 2012 after crashing out of the African Confederation’s first round of preliminary qualifiers.