Syed defaults on Racing debt repayment
By David Gold
May 10 – Ahsan Ali Syed has defaulted on a repayment of Racing Santander’s debt to their regional Government, placing his takeover of the club in doubt.
Hayatou accused of taking bribe to vote for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid
By David Gold at Westminster in London
May 10 – FIFA vice-president and International Olympic Committee member Issa Hayatou has been accused, along with fellow FIFA Executive Committee member Jacques Anouma, of taking a bribe of $1.5 million (£923,000) from Qatar in the bidding process for the 2022 World Cup.
“I’m shocked but my conscience is clear” says Blatter over latest corruption claims
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 10 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter admitted today he was “shocked” by sensational new allegations of corruption involving no fewer than six of his Executive Committee and promised the world governing body would act once the evidence has been provided.
Triesman accuses FIFA Executive Committee members of asking for bribes
By David Gold at Westminster in London
May 10 – Lord Triesman told the Parliamentary inquiry into England’s failed bid to win the right to host the 2018 World Cup today that four FIFA Executive Committee members – Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi – asked for bribes during the bidding process.
FIFA blow as key trio are absent from inaugural meeting of 2014 Task Force
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 11 – FIFA’s remit to improve the quality of international football before the next World Cup got off to an inauspicious and embarrassing start when the three most high-profile members of its so-called Task Force 2014 failed to show up here.
“Who says we will vote for Blatter” says Warner
By Andrew Warshaw
May 10 – CONCACAF boss Jack Warner insists the organisation has still not made its mind definitely whether to back Sepp Blatter’s re-election at the upcoming FIFA ballot.
FA board meeting could cut Africa funding
By David Gold
May 10 – The Football Association (FA) may cut funding to three African nations after a board meeting set for next week, which is to decide the budget and strategy for international development.
FIFA warn Indonesian FA over election
By David Gold
May 9 – The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) faces censure unless FIFA deems that it has sufficiently reformed following its elections, scheduled for May 20.
Blatter surprised by England 2018 James Bond style approach to bidding
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 9 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today attempted to distance himself from reports that England’s 2018 World Cup bid team hired a private security firm to monitor the behaviour of their rivals during the campaign.
FIFA and Interpol reveal match fixing in up to 300 matches worldwide
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 9 – Scores of players, officials and referees across both Eastern and Western Europe have been taking bribes to throw up to 300 matches – not just international friendlies but also Champions League and Europa League fixtures.
England spied on 2018 World Cup rivals it is claimed
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 9 – The English Football Association declined comment today on an explosive report alleging that the country’s 2018 World Cup bid team hired a private security firm to monitor the behaviour of their rivals.
Mihir Bose: QPR’s owner is richer than Abramovich but they won’t be competing against Chelsea in the transfer market
.jpg)
Queen’s Park Rangers return to the Premiership will make their fans want to know is whether their rich owner will follow in the footsteps of Roman Abramovich. He is after all richer than Abramovich, indeed he is the richest man in Britain with a net worth of £24 billion ($39 billion).
But that’s not how Lakshmi Mittal sees things. QPR will not be a passion for him as Chelsea is for the Russian and,
Leoz denies knighthood claim but insists he was invited to the Royal Wedding by Prince William
By David Gold
May 10 – CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, has denied reports that its President, Nicolas Leoz, asked for a knighthood in return for supporting England’s bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
Exclusive: Arab Spring leaves Mido feeling flat
By Mihir Bose
May 8 – Mido, the Egyptian player, has hired renowned London lawyers Mishcon de Reya to overturn a FIFA decision which effectively stops him playing for eight months.
“Give me a knighthood and I’ll vote for you” FIFA member tells England 2018
By Andrew Warshaw
May 8 – A voting member of FIFA’s Executive Committee asked for a knighthood in exchange for backing England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup, The Sunday Times newspaper reported today.