Portuguese Premier League approves expansion to 18 teams
By David Gold
March 14 – Portugal’s Premier League will expand to 18 teams from next season, the country’s Professional Football League (LPFP) has announced.
New CBF President Marin quashes hopes of a Brazilian football revolution
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – The new head of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), José Maria Marin (pictured), has dampened hopes of a fresh beginning for his country’s much-maligned administration by insisting he will not resort to wholesale changes following the resignation of Ricardo Teixeira.
Alcohol must be available at Qatar 2022 World Cup to avoid boycotts, warns Premier League chairman
By Tom Degun at the International Sport Security Conference in Doha
March 14 – Alcohol must be made widely available to fans during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar or they will end up boycotting the event, English Premier League chairman Sir David Richards has warned here today.
FIFA boss Blatter and Brazilian President Rousseff hold meeting to patch things up
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – Sepp Blatter (pictured left) will meet Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (right) on Friday (March 16) for clear-the-air talks following the recent spat over 2014 World Cup preparations.
Ricardo Teixeira to keep seat on FIFA Executive Committee
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – Ricardo Teixeira (pictured) is to keep his place as a member of the FIFA Executive Committee despite having quit as President of both the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and Brazil 2014.
British events businesses head to Russia to seek 2018 World Cup opportunities
By David Gold
March 14 – A delegation of British businesses with specialist knowledge of planning major sporting events have met with Russia 2018 in Moscow to learn about the commercial opportunities of the World Cup.
FAW want teams competing in Europe to represent Wales
By David Gold
March 13 – The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is hoping that UEFA will agree to allow the likes of Cardiff City and Swansea City, who play in the English league pyramid, to compete in European competitions representing Wales.
New body Football Australia launches national football inquiry
By David Gold
March 13 – The new Football Australia (FA) organisation set up by Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer (pictured) is to conduct an Australia-wide public Commission of Inquiry.
Former FIFA executives Diakite and Fusimalohi lose CAS appeal
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – Two more former FIFA Executive Committee members have, as expected, lost their appeals after being banned for two years on corruption charges during the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Debt-ridden Rangers attract buyers from Far East and America
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – The administrators running crisis-torn Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers say they have received interest from the Far East and the American continent in buying the debt-ridden 54-time domestic champions.
Overpriced Ukrainian hotel rooms sparks Euro 2012 concerns for UEFA
By David Gold
March 13 – UEFA has expressed its concern over the cost of hotels in Ukraine, the co-host with Poland for this summer’s European Championships.
Teixeira’s resignation overshadows Brazil 2014 in yet more controversy
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – Ricardo Teixeira’s (pictured) decision to throw in the towel as head of Brazil 2014 may have come as little surprise but it nevertheless heaps even more negative publicity on a tournament that continues to lurch from one crisis to another.
Business moguls step in to save ailing Indonesian Football Association
By David Gold
March 12 – The embattled Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is reportedly to receive help from a group of businessmen after losing its Government funding.
New race row as ex-Gillingham striker sues club
By David Gold
March 12 – Mark McCammon is suing his former club Gillingham for race discrimination after claiming he and other black players have been mistreated by the League Two club.
Under fire Teixeira quits as head of Brazilian football
By David Gold
March 12 – Ricardo Teixeira has resigned as head of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the Organising Committee of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, bringing to an end a controversial 23-year reign.