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.
FIFA signs up first Chinese World Cup sponsor
February 3 – Yingli Green Energy, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of solar panels, was unveiled as the first Chinese company to sponsor the FIFA World Cup today.
New Russian Football Union President to be elected today
February 3 – The new president of the Russian Football Union (RFU) will be elected in Moscow today in a vote that will decide the future of national team coach Guus Hiddink (pictured).
Rodney Marsh: John Terry is a rat but must stay as England captain
Anytime you have the kind of turmoil which has come from the revelations concerning John Terry and Wayne Bridge it, without a shadow of doubt, causes massive disruption within a squad.
There have been many cases of similar disgusting wrong-doings over the years which have led to training ground punch ups and eventual player transfers in an effort to keep the camaraderie alive in a sport that depends hugely on team spirit.
South African rugby season to continue during World Cup
February 2 – South Africa will play France in a Test match on June 12 in Cape Town, Springbok officials confirmed on Tuesday, dispelling doubts that the country would have to abandon its rugby union season because it clashes with the World Cup.
FIFA try to reassure South African media over press freedom for World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
February 1 – FIFA today issued a press release which seeks to reassure South Africa’s media that the purpose of accreditation terms is “not, and has never been, to restrict press freedom”.