Dutch court blocks van Gaal appointment
By David Gold
December 12 – Louis van Gaal’s appointment as a director of Dutch champions Ajax has been suspended by a judge temporarily to give the club’s shareholders a chance to vote on the change.
Valencia strike deal for work on new stadium to restart
By David Gold
December 12 – Spanish side Valencia have struck a deal with Bankia to allow work to be restarted on their new stadium.
Egypt secure Olympic qualification with victory over Senegal
By David Gold
December 10 – Egypt beat Senegal 2-0 in the third-place play-off of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) under-23 tournament in Marrakech to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
IOC have “disrespected” Africa over Hayatou reprimand, claim CAF
By David Gold
December 10 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expressed its disappointment at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to reprimand its President Issa Hayatou for allegedly accepting payments from FIFA’s former marketing partner ISL.
Jordaan withdraws from race to take over as head of COSAFA
By Andrew Warshaw
December 9 – South Africa’s World Cup organiser Danny Jordaan dramatically pulled out of the race to lead the sport in Southern Africa leaving Suketu Patel of the Seychelles to be re-elected for a second term.
Mihir Bose: FIFA should fear new mood after International Olympic Committee investigation
The wider impact of the investigation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Ethics Commission into Joao Havelange, Issa Hayatou, Lamine Diack, three of the most powerful men in world sport, cannot be overestimated.
The treatment of the three men may not appear all that drastic. But there is a message here about the way the IOC is prepared to react to the demands that the administrators of world sport and, in particular, football must become more accountable and transparent.
Michel Platini reiterates goal-line technology stance
By Andrew Warshaw
December 9 – Michel Platini has once again emphasised his opposition to goal-line technology despite the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, saying it could be in place by the start of next season – and almost certainly by the 2014 World Cup.
FIFA maintain distance from allegations of Hayatou corruption
By Andrew Warshaw
December 9 – FIFA were quick to distance themselves today from African football chief Issa Hayatou’s increasingly insecure position as the fallout continued over the ISL corruption affair.
Manchester United and Manchester City face television shun
By Declan Warrington
December 9 – Manchester United and Manchester City face the possibility of being overlooked for Channel 5’s coverage of the Europa League.
FIFA vice-president reprimanded for role in ISL corruption scandal
By Duncan Mackay in Lausanne
December 8 – Issa Hayatou, the vice-president of FIFA, has been given a reprimand for his involvement in an alleged corruption affair, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge (pictured) revealed here today.
UEFA will not investigate Lyon Champions League match despite big goal swing
By David Gold
December 8 – Lyon’s stunning 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb in their crucial Champions League qualifying game will not be investigated for irregular betting patterns, UEFA has said.
England’s Euro 2012 chances boosted as Rooney’s match ban is softened
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – Wayne Rooney’s (pictured left) chances of playing a major part in England’s Euro 2012 campaign received a major boost today when a UEFA appeals panel reduced his three-match ban.
FIFA vice-president Prince Ali wades in on match fixing debacle
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein is the latest high-profile figure to stress the need to eradicate match fixing.
Manchester United set to lose £22 million after Champions League exit
By David Gold
December 8 – Manchester United’s accountants will be counting the cost of their shock elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Basle last night, as the club could lose up to £22 million ($34 million/€26 million) in income.
Morocco book place at London 2012 with victory over Egypt
By David Gold
December 7 – Morocco beat Egypt 3-2 in the African Olympic qualifiers semi-final in Marrakech to secure a place at the London 2012 Olympic Games football tournament.