By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 19 – A team of FIFA inspectors will today begin its marathon global trip of assessing the nine candidates bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups when it lands in Japan.
July 19 – A delegation from the Irish Football Association (IFA) will today travel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne to lay out their case in the ongoing eligibility case against the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and FIFA, which Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington claims is exploiting them.
July 19 – Scotland, one of the four countries that make up the International Football Association Board (IFAB) that decides on law changes in the sport, will again back the introduction of new technology following the controversy over Frank Lampard’s ghost goal for England against Germany in the World Cup.
July 17 – Fabio Capello found himself at the centre of a new row today after his controversial “Capello Index”, which rates the performances at players at the World Cup, was published on the internet without his permission.
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July 17 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has convened a special meeting to work out the qualifying system for the African Nations Cup to be staged in Libya in 2013.
Now the vuvuzelas have been put away and South Africa is returning to some semblance of normality, attention will inevitably turn to if and when the African continent will stage the World Cup again.
Whilst the event matched or exceeded expectations both in terms of infrastructure and organisation, the reality is that Africa will almost certainly have to wait at least a generation before it can again embrace the infectious colour and collective enthusiasm that have been hallmarks of the past month.
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.