FIFA president Sepp Blatter denounce critics of South Africa hosting the World Cup
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By Andrew Warshaw
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has once again gone on the attack to denounce critics of South Africa hosting the World Cup.
Chung makes a half-million donation to Haiti
By David Owen
February 16 – Dr Chung Mong-Joon (pictured), a South Korean member of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee and honorary President of his country’s football association, has made a $500,000 (£318,000) donation to Haiti.
Mihir Bose: Football has been allowed to get away with a very peculiar system when it comes to paying its debts
There is a story going round the many lawyers, accountants and other professionals who advise football clubs. The story goes as follows. Some years ago, when Leicester City were in financial trouble and being hounded by the Revenue for non payment of taxes, Keith Vaz, the local MP, rang Gordon Brown then Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Indonesia 2022 World Cup bid on life-support machine
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By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – Indonesia’s flagging campaign to stage the 2022 World Cup was hanging by a thread today after it emerged that the Government was still stalling over contributing vital support.
Mihir Bose: Manchester United success can never hide ownership frustrations
History is not always a good precedent for judging the present. But, in the case of Manchester United, history of its ownership and the fans reaction to different owners, tell us a great deal of why the club is once again in turmoil.
Gullit to lead Holland and Belgium World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 - Holland and Belgium’s joint bid to stage the 2018 World Cup was given fresh heavyweight impetus today when Ruud Gullit (pictured) was named as bid President.
Ireland miss out on chance for French revenge in Euro 2012
By Andrew Warshaw in Warsaw
February 7 – Ireland never got their dream revenge tie against France to make amends for Thierry Henry’s cheating handball.
Gulati re-elected as USSF President
February 6 – Sunil Gulati (pictured) has been unanimously re-elected to a second four-year term as president of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
Poland, Ukraine and Capello try to focus on Euro 2012
By Andrew Warshaw in Warsaw
February 6 – In one sense, tomorrow’s draw for the Euro 2012 qualifying competition starting in September is a case of before the Lord Mayor’s show.
Angry fans protest in Togo over cup ban
February 6 – Thousands of people took to the streets of Lome today to protest against their national football team being banned from the next two editions of the African Cup of Nations.
England 2018 sign BT in £1 million deal
February 5 – England 2018 today announced BT as an official communications partner in a deal worth £1 million.
Financial problems force FC Moscow out of Russian League
February 5 – FC Moscow has pulled out of the Russian league a month before the start of the 2010 season because of financial problems sparked by failures to secure sponsorship.
West Ham launch fundraising scheme to reduce debt
February 5 – West Ham United have announced that they will undertake a fundraising programme to raise up to £40 million to strengthen the club’s financial position.
Castrol to back Euro 2012
February 4 – Castrol, who already back the World Cup and sponsor Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured), is set to extend its football portfolio by backing the 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine.
Fursenko targets 2018 World Cup after being elected RFU President
By Duncan Mackay
February 3 – Former Zenit Saint Petersburg President Sergei Fursenko (pictured) was elected as the new president of the Russian Football Union (RFU) at a special conference today and immediately set his sights on ehlping the country win its bid to host the 2018 World Cup.