Exclusive: Asian Football leader to challenge Blatter
By David Owen
March 17 – Mohamed Bin Hammam will tomorrow fire the starting-pistol for what promises to be a hard-fought contest for the top job in world football.
Andrew Warshaw: The teasing is over – but can bin Hammam really oust the mighty Sepp Blatter from FIFA’s top job?
So now we know. After seemingly interminable prevarication, Mohamed Bin Hammam has finally shown his hand and announced that he really does intend to try and end Sepp Blatter’s 13-year reign at the head of football’s world governing body.
For the last few months, at conferences and congresses the world over, rather like handing a sweet to a child and then withdrawing it at the last moment, bin Hammam has teased us with all manner of hints and innuendos.
Blatter opens football academy in Myanmar
By David Gold
March 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has opened a new football academy in Myanmar and spoken of the country’s potential to play a “very active role” in the development of football in Asia.
Leaders in Football company sold for £1.8 million
By Duncan Mackay
March 15 – The firm that put on the annual Leaders in Football conference have been taken over for £1.8 million ($2.9 million) by Convers Sports Initiatives (CSI), a company co-founded by former Leeds United chief executive Chris Akers, it was announced today.
Hilton plans new hotels for Russia 2018
March 15 – Nine hotels will be opened by Hilton Worldwide in Russia ahead of the 2018 World Cup, taking its total number of hotels in the country to 16, as it looks to expand its presence there.
Japan’s participation in Copa America in doubt after earthquake
By David Gold
March 15 – Japan has been forced to postpone all J.League games during March, placing in doubt the country’s participation in the Copa America in July.
Chelsea emphasise commitment to Asia by renewing partnership
By David Gold
March 15 – Chelsea and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have renewed their partnership, formalising the club’s support to the development of football in the Asian confederation.
Clubs to be consulted over player selection for GB Olympics football team
By David Gold
March 14 – The Football Association have confirmed that players will only be selected for the London 2012 Olympics in addition to next year’s European Championships, to be held in Ukraine and Poland, with the explicit permission of their clubs.
David Owen: Surreal moment Gaddafi’s son told me his dream of owning Man Utd was “like buying the Church of England”
“Let me tell you something: a few months ago, about seven or eight months ago, we were about to buy shares in Manchester United.
“We kept it secret because I thought we were going to do it, but now it’s impossible, so let’s talk about it.”
It was, quite simply, one of the most surreal moments of my journalistic career.
Time to plan Confederations Cup running out as fears grow over Brazil preparations
By David Gold
March 14 – Time to organise the dates and venues for the 2013 Confederations Cup is running out according to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, who says that the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was easier to organise than the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
London final excites Powell
March 13 – The England women’s team manager Hope Powell has spoken of her excitement at the prospect of seeing the UEFA women’s Champions League final being staged at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on May 26.
Ronaldo “the best athlete at self-marketing”, says Facebook business guru
By Tom Degun in Barcelona
March 11 – Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo leads the way in showing how an athlete can use social networking to their own advantage according to Christian Hernandez, the Head of International Business Development at Facebook.
Exclusive: FA to FIFA – we are not against Sepp Blatter in race for Presidency
By Duncan Mackay
March 10 – The Football Association have denied to FIFA that they are preparing to back any “credible rival” to Sepp Blatter in this year’s elections for the President of the world governing body.
Bin Hammam will make decision over FIFA Presidency within 10 days
By Andrew Warshaw
March 10 – Asian football supremo Mohamed Bin Hammam will decide within 10 days whether to challenge Sepp Blatter for the Presidency of FIFA.
Exclusive: Leyton Orient instruct lawyers to ask for judicial review over West Ham Olympic Stadium move
By Mihir Bose in Doha
March 10 – Leyton Orient will move to the courts next week asking for a judicial review of the Government’s decision to house West Ham United in the Olympic stadium after the 2012 Games.