Blatter must “dry out this swamp” or be sacked Hoeness warns
By Duncan Mackay
January 5 – Sepp Blatter has again come under fire from a senior figure at Bayern Munich, this time from Uli Hoeness, the German club’s President.
The scale of the match fixing problem is frightening, warns FIFA’s head of security
By Andrew Warshaw
January 5 – The man leading the fight against worldwide match fixing has described the scale of the problem as “frightening” and reiterated his determination to beat the criminals.
South African World Cup cities bidding to be involved in 2013 African Nations Cup
By Duncan Mackay
January 5 – The six South African cities that hosted matches during the 2010 World Cup are bidding to be involved in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Turkish initiative sees thousands of women and children at league matches for free
By David Gold
January 5 – Almost 57,000 women and children have watched Turkish league football this season for free, the country’s Football Federation (TFF) has claimed.
Liverpool abandon Suárez eight match ban appeal
By David Gold
January 4 – Liverpool have decided not to appeal the eight match ban handed out to Luis Suárez for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, but the Uruguayan could now be set to make his comeback at Old Trafford of all places.
Gabon could win London 2012 football gold, claims top sports official
By David Gold
January 4 – Gabon’s football team is capable of following in the footsteps of the Nigerian and Cameroonian teams that won gold at the Olympic Games in 1996 and 2000 respectively, and claim glory in London later this year, says a leading sports official in the country.
Fenerbahçe fans call on TFF to maintain match fixing rule
By David Gold
January 4 – Supporters of Turkish champions Fenerbahçe, who have been heavily implicated in the country’s match fixing scandal, have called on the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) not to alter a rule which could relegate the club.
Wales face Costa Rica in Gary Speed memorial match
By Andrew Warshaw
January 4 – Wales will play Costa Rica in a memorial match for former manager Gary Speed who tragically took his own life in November at the age of 42.
Eli Guttman named as Israeli team coach
By David Gold
January 4 – Eli Guttman (pictured) has been announced as the new Israeli national team coach, replacing Frenchman Luis Fernández, who left after a disappointing Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Beckham not heading to PSG
By Andrew Warshaw
January 3 – The future of David Beckham (pictured) was back on hold today as reports said the former England captain would not be extending his distinguished career by joining Qatar-backed French club Paris St Germain.
Exclusive: It is absolutely possible to stage the Qatar World Cup in summer, says temperature control specialist
By David Owen
January 3 – It should be perfectly possible to stage a World Cup in Qatar in summer, a top executive at a leading temperature control company has told insideworldfootball.
Swaziland withdraw from 2013 African Nations Cup over financial constraints
By David Gold
January 3 – Swaziland have withdrawn from qualifiers for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of this month’s first round tie with Seychelles, and now risk being thrown out of the 2015 tournament.
Celtic quartet approached about Team GB football team for London 2012
By David Gold
January 3 – A quartet of Celtic’s women’s team have been approached to play for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games next year.
Video is not for football, insists Platini ahead of goal-line technology decision
By Andrew Warshaw
January 3 – The build up to the eagerly awaited decision in March whether, finally, to introduce goal-line technology is gathering pace with UEFA President Michel Platini, its fiercest high-profile opponent, again rubbishing the idea.
David Owen: FA report on Suarez shines light on lengths players go to gain competitive advantage
Like other writers, I spent the first two hours of 2012 engrossed not in a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, but the intricacies of the famous October 15 altercation between footballers Luís Suárez and Patrice Evra.
And a right riveting read the 115 pages of findings drawn up by the Independent Regulatory Commission that imposed an eight-match ban – subject to appeal – on Suárez, the Liverpool striker, turned out to be.
It aroused in me all manner of reactions –