Beşiktaş President Demirören named as new TFF chairman
By David Gold
February 27 – The embattled Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has elected Beşiktaş President Yıldırım Demirören (pictured) as their new chairman at a general assembly today.
UEFA President Platini slams goal-line technology as “nonsense”
By Andrew Warshaw
February 27 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) has racked up the anticipation ahead of next weekend’s International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting by once again slamming the idea of goal-line technology, this time describing it as “nonsense”.
Exclusive: There has been no satisfactory answer to our demands, says ECA vice chair Gandini
By Andrew Warshaw
February 27 – One of the leading officials driving the campaign by Europe’s top clubs to have a greater say in the way the game is run, Umberto Gandini (pictured), has added his voice to the breakdown in talks with FIFA.
European Clubs Association boycotts talks with FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – The European Club Association (ECA), which comprises Europe’s top 200 clubs, is boycotting all further talks with FIFA because of its reluctance to streamline the international match calendar.
World Cup 2014 Bill will be signed next week, insists FIFA’s Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – The so called 2014 Bill that has caused so much tension between Brazil’s World Cup organisers and FIFA should finally be signed by next Tuesday (February 28), according FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke.
Exclusive: Warner seeking “substantial damages” over Haitian earthquake claim
By Duncan Mackay
February 25 – Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner claims he plans to sue a Trinidad newspaper and journalist that he accuses of libel and defamation regarding stories involving funds slated for Haiti reconstruction efforts following the earthquake there.
French women’s team should secure a London 2012 medal says confident Bini
By David Gold
February 25 – French women’s football coach Bruno Bini has set his team the target of picking up a medal at this summer’s Olympic Games in London.
IMG pull out of football representation
By David Gold
February 25 – Sports management moguls IMG will no longer represent professional footballers, including Manchester City and Argentinian striker Sergio Agüero (pictured), after deciding the business does not represent value for money.
Amos Adamu loses CAS appeal
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – Fifteen months after being banned by FIFA from world football over corruption allegations, Nigeria’s Amos Adamu (pictured) today lost his final attempt to clear his name at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Exclusive: ICSS reveal details of Chris Eaton’s recruitment
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
February 24 – Fresh details have emerged over the imminent departure from FIFA of its head of security Chris Eaton (pictured), arguably the most important figurehead in the fight against match fixing.
Abedi Pele and Gheorghe Hagi join Blatter’s FIFA Task Force
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – Two more footballing icons have joined the star-studded FIFA panel set up to try and make the game more of a spectacle.
ZDF and ARD secure German EURO 2016 media rights
By David Gold
February 23 – UEFA has announced that ARD and ZDF have been awarded Germany’s exclusive broadcast rights to the European Championships 2016, held in France.
South Korea qualify for London 2012
By David Gold
February 23 – South Korea will be at London 2012 after a comfortable 3-0 win over Oman in their penultimate Olympic men’s football qualifier, whilst Japan are as good as qualified.
FIFPro backs FIFA vice-president’s pro-hijab campaign
By Andrew Warshaw
February 23 – The international players’ union FIFPro is backing the campaign by FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan to change the law and allow Muslim women to wear the hijab during matches.
Rangers’ Whyte sells club’s historic Arsenal shares to Usmanov
By David Gold
February 23 – Glasgow Rangers owner Craig Whyte (pictured) has severed the club’s historic link with Arsenal by selling shares the Scottish champions owned in the Premier League side to their minority shareholder Alisher Usmanov.