By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 16 – Chelsea chairman Roman Abramovich has stepped in to pay the remaining 95 million rubles (£2 million/$3 million) salary of former Russian coach Guus Hiddink to avoid a damaging legal action which could have overshadowed the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
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July 15 – A new independent chairman will not be appointed by the Football Association until after the bid process for the 2018 World Cup in December is finished, the Executive Board decided today.
July 16 – Members of the Dutch Lower House are demanding to know precisely what it will mean for the country if the Netherlands and Belgium host the World Cup in 2018.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 16 – A potentially damaging new development for the four countries from Asia bidding for the 2022 World Cup has emerged after China announced today that they want to host the 2026 tournament.
July 16 – Everton’s manager David Moyes (pictured) has provided a boost for Australia’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup after backing their chances.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 15 – FIFA has imposed strict new rules on the nine countries lobbying for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, including making the bidders explain in writing before they are allowed to talk to any of the 24 Executive Committee members who will vote on the decision.
July 15 – Wayne Rooney has avoided having to pay £4.3 million ($6.6 million) in a lawsuit brought by his former agents, Proactive.
July 15 – Poznań will be the first Polish city to complete the preparation of its stadium for the European 2012 Championships, the city’s Mayor has claimed.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 15 – Milton Keynes Dons will begin developing stadium:mk even if England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup fails, the club’s chairman Pete Winkelman has confirmed.
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Football is a remarkably conservative sport when it comes to changing the rules.
Normally, I’m all in favour of a cautious approach to this fundamental matter; it tends to be a sign of a sport in good health.
July 15 – Cricket South Africa said it expects to lure the largest crowd to a cricket match in the country by hosting a 20-20 match between India and South Africa at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, which was built specially for the World Cup.
July 14 – Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (pictured centre) has hit out at critics of the country’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup after it was claimed that they were already facing facing serious delays.
Superficially, the 2010 World Cup final was contested by two football teams.
But at a deeper level, it was a struggle between and octopus and a parakeet. Or rather, it was an octopus and a Malaysian parakeet against a Singapore parakeet.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 13 – South Africa will bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics after the outstanding success of the FIFA World Cup, they announced today.
July 13 – Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal has become a shareholder in Real Mallorca in an attempt to help out the cash-strapped club.