Euro 2012 venues could be cut from eight to six admit UEFA
March 19 – The European Championships in 2012 could be held at only six venues instead of eight if the stadiums are not completed in time, it was revealed today.
Exclusive: Qatar last on FIFA inspection list
By Andrew Warshaw
March 18 – The bid to stage the 2022 World Cup has burst into controversy with the revelation that Qatar have arranged to be last on the list of FIFA technical inspection visits – several weeks after the other Asian candidates.
Australia gets bid boost after compensation agreement
.jpg)
By Andrew Warshaw
March 18 – Australia’s bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 has received a timely boost following an agreement on the principle of paying compensation to rival sports unhappy at being marginalised during the event.
FA make key new appointment
March 18 – The Football Association have appointed Julian Eccles (pictured) as Group Director of Marketing and Communications, it was confirmed today.
Russia wants Putin to work Olympic magic for World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 18 – Vladimir Putin (pictured) is being urged to reprise his successful role in bringing the 2014 Olympics to Sochi and personally lead Russia’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup in December.
Scottish football could lose nearly £30 million if matches added to crown jewels
.jpg)
March 18 – Gordon Smith, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), is to warn the British Government that if they force them to sell their international matches to a free-to-air television channel then it will cost them nearly £30 million in lost revenue.
Indonesian football chief to be asked to explain years of failure
March 18 – Indonesia’s top football administrator, Nurdin Halid (pictured), is to be asked to explain to the country’s lawmkers how the country can be more successful on the international stage.
Bin Hammam courted by King of Belgium
March 17 – Belgium’s King and Prime Minister have rolled out the red-carpet for Mohamed Bin Hammam, the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), to try to help the campaign for the country’s joint World Cup bid with the Netherlands.
Administrator: “Portsmouth is an example of how not to conduct business”
March 17 – Portsmouth’s former chief executive Peter Storrie (pictured) must take some of the blame for the crisis the Premier League club finds itself in after its nine-point deduction for going into administration was confirmed today, it was claimed.
Exclusive: Coe replaced as head of FIFA Ethics Commission
By David Owen
March 17 - Sebastian Coe (pictured) has been replaced as chairman of FIFA’s Ethics Committee.
England turn to Virgin for World Cup trip
March 17 – Virgin Atlantic has been named as the official airline of England’s World Cup team in a deal that is a massive snub to British Airways, who had performed the role for the last three tournaments.
Alan Hubbard: West Ham should not be denied stadium move because of Olympic promise
So London is to bid for the 2015 World Athletics Championships. That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that this has “ramifications” for the future of the Olympic Stadium, which would be used to host the Championships.
Mihir Bose: Will the appointment of a regulator solve the debt crisis?
What are the chances that the present debt crisis in football will lead to a regulator being appointed to administer the game?
Beckham injury will keep him out of the World Cup
March 14 – David Beckham is set to be able to spend more time promoting England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup after suffering a serious injury that will keep him out of this year’s tournament in South Africa.
US equity group in talks with Liverpool about gaining controlling interest
March 14 – Liverpool are in talks with a private-equity firm, the Rhone Group, over a £118.5 million deal to buy a controlling share of the club and halve their debts.