Rangers tax case back in the dock
By David Gold
January 17 – The ongoing case against Glasgow Rangers for £35 million (€42 million/$54 million) in allegedly unpaid taxes continues at a tribunal hearing in Edinburgh this week.
Beckham and Giggs could reunite on Team GB at London 2012
By David Gold
January 17 – David Beckham (pictured left) has confirmed his interest in representing Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games, as has his former teammate Manchester United player Ryan Giggs (right).
Valcke demands Brazilian law reforms ahead of 2014 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke (pictured) has repeated his call for a quick resolution to Brazilian legislation in order to prevent holdups over the 2014 World Cup.
Liverpool lose adidas deal after poor performances on the pitch
By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – Adidas, the world’s second biggest sporting goods manufacturer, decided not to renew its kit deal with Liverpool partly because the club were not being successful enough on the pitch.
Beleaguered Teixeira to appeal against release of ISL documents
By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – Brazil’s under fire FIFA administrator Ricardo Teixeira (pictured) reportedly plans to lodge an appeal in the Swiss federal court this week to try to prevent the now-infamous ISL file being published.
CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifiers set to get under way
By David Gold
January 16 – The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) women’s qualifying tournament for the London 2012 Games gets underway in Canada on Thursday (January 19), with eight teams vying for two places at this summer’s Olympics.
New members appointed to CFU Normalisation Committee
By Andrew Warshaw
January 16 – The steering group set up to put Caribbean football back on the map after the worst year for public relations in its history has made several fresh appointments.
Man faces charges over Twitter racism aimed at Rangers players Bartley and Edu
By David Gold
January 16 – A man has been arrested and is facing charges as the result of an investigation into racist abuse aimed at Rangers players Kyle Bartley (pictured) and Maurice Edu.
Former FIFA official Champagne issues blueprint for reform
By Andrew Warshaw
January 16 – One of FIFA’s most prominent former administrators Jérôme Champagne (pictured) has broken a two-year silence by issuing a hard-hitting assessment of why world football’s governing has become embroiled in such controversy and what steps it should now take to regain global credibility.
West Ham United refusing to commit themselves to Olympic Stadium move
By David Gold
January 16 – Championship club West Ham United insist that they have not yet decided whether to bid again to apply to move into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012, and say that they will remain at Upton Park rather than pursue a third option if they do not make the move.
David Gold: African Nations Cup is Gabon’s chance to prove it can organise a big competition
When Brazil came to town in November for a friendly at the newly constructed stadium in Libreville, Gabon, the African Nations Cup organisers were hoping it would serve as a useful preparatory exercise ahead of the start of the tournament in January.
It was just as well.
A tropical downpour prior to kick off left the pitch virtually unplayable, whilst the game was delayed by 20 minutes due to a power failure.
FIFA set to withdraw funding of new Zurich stadium over standing plans
By David Gold
January 15 – FIFA appear set to withdraw funding towards a new stadium being built in Zurich, the home of world football’s governing body.
Teixeira makes himself scarce as FIFA’s Valcke heads to Brazil
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Under fire Brazilian powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira (pictured left) will be conspicuous by his absence when FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke flies to Brazil today for his latest bi-monthly series of World Cup 2014 meetings.
MATCH Hospitality appoints agents in China for Euro 2012
By David Gold
January 14 – MATCH Hospitality has appointed Shankai Sports as the exclusive sub-agent in China for selling Club Prestige Hospitality Programmes for the European Championships, which take place later this year in Poland and Ukraine.
Warner claims he has written evidence to prove TV rights were given to him by FIFA for votes
By Duncan Mackay
January 13 – FIFA tonight found itself at the centre of more astonishing allegations from former vice-president Jack Warner over the decision to award him World Cup television rights for as little as $1 (£0.65/€0.77), including the Trinidadian claiming he had written evidence that they were given to him in return for votes for Sepp Blatter in his election campaigns.