Porter to lead US team to Olympic qualification
By David Gold
October 21 – American soccer coach Caleb Porter (pictured) will be in charge of the American football team aiming to qualify for next summer’s London Olympic Games.
Cameroon qualify for London 2012 after penalty shootout
By David Gold
October 22 – Cameroon’s women’s football team edged out Nigeria to take their place at the London 2012 Olympic Games, after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory, with the sides unable to be separated after 210 minutes of play.
Woman coach for FC Zurich? Why not, says club President
By David Gold
October 22 – FC Zurich President Ancillo Canepa (pictured) claims he can see a day when a woman will coach a men’s football team, though he does not think it will be in the next few years.
Barcelona open doors to “New Masia” for next generation of football greats
By David Gold
October 21 – European champions Barcelona have unveiled their “New Masia” academy as they look to find future stars of the game to follow the path trodden by Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
Mihir Bose: Marcel Schmid bravely predicts women’s football will influence the male game
The theme of this year’s International Football Arena (IFA) conference, Football: from craze to madness, may suggest we face a sporting Armageddon. But Marcel Schmid, the man whose brainchild the conference is, refuses to take a pessimistic view of the state of the game.
“The football world is upside down, but the world is upside down, isn’t it?,” he says. “It is not only football in a state of chaos,
Playing in Team GB risks Scotland’s independence, warns Brown
By David Gold
October 21 – Former Scotland player and manager Craig Brown (pictured) has warned that Scottish players choosing to play for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games will be placing the country’s independence in world football in jeopardy.
FIFA to reopen ISL case, Blatter announces
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 21 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today unveiled an unprecedented “road map to reform” to help football’s battered world governing body get back on its feet after years of mistrust and deceit.
Marcel Schmid bravely predicts women’s football will influence the male game
By Mihir Bose
October 21 – The theme of this year’s International Football Arena (IFA) conference, Football: from craze to madness, may suggest we face a sporting Armageddon. But Marcel Schmid, the man whose brainchild the conference is, refuses to take a pessimistic view of the state of the game.
Football “in danger” if Sion win, FIFA warn
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 20 – Football would be “in danger” if other teams follow the example of Swiss club Sion and go to the civil courts to try and resolve footballing disputes, FIFA warned here today.
Teams face tough schedule at Brazil 2014
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 20 – FIFA performed a complete U-turn today when they announced the preliminary match schedule for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, forcing teams to fly the length and breadth of the country.
It’s time for Blatter to put his money where his mouth is
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 20 – Almost five months after being elected for a final term as FIFA President pledging zero tolerance, it’s D-Day for Sepp Blatter who now has to put his money where his mouth is – if you will excuse the unfortunate choice of phrase.
“Women’s football will experience the same success as women’s tennis,” insists Haenni
By David Gold
October 20 – FIFA’s head of women’s competitions, Tatjana Haenni, believes that women’s football can replicate the success of women’s tennis and compete on a par with the men’s game in the future.
“I’m not in Team GB job only to select English players,” says Pearce
By Mike Rowbottom at Wembley Stadium
October 20 – Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell were today confirmed officially as respective managers for the GB men’s and women’s football teams at the London 2012 Games, as revealed first on insideworldfootball.
Exclusive: Czechs plan bid for 2015 European Under-21 Championships
By David Gold
October 20 – The Czech Republic is planning to bid for the European under 21 championship in 2015 rather than the European Championships in 2020, insideworldfootball has learnt.
Armenian diaspora plead with Platini to replay Ireland qualifier
By David Gold
October 20 – The Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe (FAUE) has asked UEFA President Michel Platini for the crucial European Championship qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Armenia to be replayed after the Irish controversially won their encounter in Dublin earlier this month.