Pitch will be perfect for Champions League final pledges Wembley boss
By Andrew Warshaw at Wembley
November 26 – The chairman of Wembley Stadium has promised the pitch will be in perfect condition for this season’s Champions League final.
Lineker urges FIFA to play it straight
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – England 2018 ambassador Gary Lineker has urged FIFA not to be swayed by politics at next week’s eagerly awaited World Cup vote.
Werner is new Liverpool chairman
November 25 – Liverpool have announced their new chairman will be Tom Werner, who holds a similar position with club owners New England Sports Ventures.
Battle of the stats for 2022 World Cup
By David Owen
November 25 – A World Cup in Australia would offer FIFA and its partners “huge economic and financial opportunities”, the country’s bid has claimed, as the contest for the 2022 World Cup turned into a statistical battleground.
Mihir Bose: Years of neglect cannot be made up for in a few months of hectic lobbying
Should England not win the 2018 World Cup, and that must be considered a possibility, then I suggest the starting point for the post-mortem should be a thin orange and blue FIFA booklet called the Committees Directory 2110. This lists the people who sit on the various FIFA committees.
These committees are the powerhouse of the organisation. They range from World Cup organisation, to referee administration, the technical development of the game, player status,
London Mayor Boris backs Spurs plan to develop White Hart Lane
By Tom Degun
November 25 – Tottenham Hotspur have had their plans to redevelop White Hart Lane approved by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
Hyundai extends FIFA sponsorship until 2022
By David Owen
November 25 – FIFA has announced the extension of its top tier sponsorship deal with Hyundai-Kia, the South Korean automotive group, by eight years, through to 2022.
Spurs fans plan mass protest over proposed move to Olympic stadium
By Mike Rowbottom
November 25 – Tottenham Hotspur fans are planning a mass protest against the club’s possible move from White Hart Lane – their home for the last 111 years – to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after the London 2012 Games are over.
Exclusive: Oceania chief confident Temarii will be replaced in time for World Cup voting
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – The credibility of world football’s governing body was rocked by yet another twist to the ongoing corruption scandal today when it emerged that suspended Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) President Reynald Temarii is likely to waive his right of appeal in order to be replaced for the two secret ballots on December 2.
Warner warns of “negative fallout” for England after Panorama broadcast
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has renewed his attack on the forthcoming BBC Panorama investigation into World Cup bidding, warning the broadcast will have “negative fall-out” for England’s World Cup bid.
Qatar World Cup would be worth “billions” they claim
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – Qatar is stepping up its public relations machine ahead of next week’s 2022 World Cup vote with a flurry of activities and statements showcasing the country’s facilities and legacy.
West Ham in pole position to clinch Olympic stadium, insists Spurs director Mills
By Mike Rowbottom in London
November 24 – Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chairman of London 2012 and Tottenham director, has insisted that West Ham United are in pole position to take over the Olympic Stadium – but only if their bid “stacks up economically”.
Exclusive: Temarii set to accept guilt so Oceania can get World Cup vote back
By David Owen
November 24 – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has called a meeting of its Executive Committee on Saturday (November 27), amid growing expectations that moves may be made to ensure the region retains a say in where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are played.
David Owen: World Cup bid race is beginning to hot up
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As we approach the final week of the contest to decide where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be played, in just the last day or so it has emerged that:
● British Prime Minister David Cameron is to spend the best part of three days in Zurich, lobbying for the England 2018 bid. This after inviting Jack Warner, one of the most influential FIFA Executive Committee members, to lunch.
● Russia’s Government are making final plans for a visit to the Swiss city by Vladimir Putin,
Exclusive: Putin set to complete full set of Prime Ministers for World Cup vote
By Duncan Mackay in Rio de Janeiro
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
November 23 – Russia’s Government are making final plans for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to travel to Zurich next week to support the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup – putting an end to doubts over whether he would make the trip.