Southeast Asia considering joint bid for 2030 World Cup
January 17 – Foreign Ministers from Southeast Asia have discussed for the first time the possibility of a joint bid from the region to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
“Powerhouse” CONCACAF seeks fourth automatic World Cup spot in Brazil
By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – The North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) is gunning for a fourth automatic place at the next World Cup in Brazil.
David Owen: Eastern breakaway could send shockwaves through FIFA – and win China the 2026 World Cup
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As members of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) made their way last week to Pago Pago to vote for a new President, word reached me of an idea that could transform their futures and send a shockwave through the murky world of global football politics.
The idea of a breakaway Asian confederation, embracing Oceania and several easterly members of the current Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is being actively discussed.
At present it is hard to assess the timescale,
New Oceania chief Chung pledges support for Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
January 16 – Acting President David Chung (pictured) has been elected to succeed the banned Reynald Temarii as head of the Oceania Football Confederation, strengthening the position of FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the process.
Putin demands Russia builds high-speed rail network for 2018 World Cup
January 16 – Russian cities hosting 2018 World Cup matches should be linked by an €4 billion (£3 billion/$5 billion) integrated high-speed rail network, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.
Papers question Qatar spending spree to secure 2022 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Qatar’s landslide 2022 World Cup bid victory has burst into yet more controversy with two newspapers – one on either side of the Atlantic – questioning how they did it.
Exclusive: Chairman Warner denies UK Athletics “refusing to engage” with Tottenham
By Mike Rowbottom
January 14 – Ed Warner (pictured), chairman of UK Athletics, has explicitly denied the suggestion made this week by those handling Tottenham’s bid to redevelop the 2012 Olympic Stadium that his organisation has refused to engage with them on their plans for an athletics legacy elsewhere.
Blatter on collision course with Platini
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter appears to be on a collision course with UEFA boss Michel Platini over the possible introduction of goal-line technology.
Talk of winter switch for Qatar World Cup “premature” says Bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – The head of Asian football has come out fighting by insisting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will not be switched from summer to winter or be shared with other Gulf nations.
Exclusive: Prime Minister should intervene in Olympic Stadium row to prevent Britain becoming “laughing stock” claims Pascoe
By Duncan Mackay in Lausanne
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 13 – Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron should intervene to prevent Tottenham Hotspur being given the Olympic Stadium after London 2012, Alan Pascoe said today.
Platini rules out goal-line technology
By Andrew Warshaw in Nyon
January 13 – UEFA President Michel Platini insists goal-line technology will never be introduced – even though football’s lawmakers are giving it further examination.
Alan Hubbard: Spending £500 million on a stadium then knocking it down would make us a laughing stock
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O what a tangled web we weave, when we first practise to deceive!
So tangled, in fact, that most attribute the quotation to Shakespeare when actually it was penned by Sir Walter Scott.
I make the point not to boast any great literary leaning but because had sports politics been on the agenda when it was written back in the 19th century then never would it have been more aptly described.
Adamu battling to save seat on FIFA Executive Committee
By David Owen
January 13 – Amos Adamu (pictured) is attempting to retain a seat on FIFA’s ruling 24-member Executive Committee for another four years.
Spurs admit: We would demolish Olympic Stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
January 13 – Tottenham Hotspur have admitted they would demolish most of the Olympic Stadium and make it more football friendly if they win the bid to move there after the 2012 London Games.
Platini hopes Qatar World Cup will be hosted by “entire Gulf region”
From Andrew Warshaw in Nyon
January 12 – The controversial decision to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has taken yet another unexpected twist with UEFA President Michel Platini suggesting it could be expanded to include other Gulf nations.