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First Africa, now Asia.
As our exclusive story last week revealed, some of football’s six continental confederations appear to be exploiting the race for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to try to drum up some extra windfall cash.
January 16 – Tickets for Miami, a controversial choice to host matches if the United States bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, will sell out in 24 hours, a leading official there has predicted.
By Duncan Mackay
January 16 – The row between the football codes in Australia have taken another twist after it emerged that Hawker Britton, a lobbying group who gave donations to Kevin Rudd’s election campaign, were hired to work for the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
By Duncan Mackay
January 15 – Russia’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup today announced it had signed up its second sponsor of the week when law firm Yust were unveiled.
By Duncan Mackay
January 15 – Chicago withdrew its bid to stage World Cup matches if the United States campaign to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup is successful because the city refused to underwrite a guarantee of $10 million (£6 million) following its doomed attempt to host the 2016 Olympics, it has emerged today.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Jerome Champagne (pictured), one of the most powerful administrators in world football, has been forced out of office at FIFA after allegedly meddling in the affairs of national associations.
January 15 – World Cup rivals Australia and Indonesia have signed an agreement to commit to closer football ties, a series of exchange programmes and more internationals between the two countries, it has been announced.
January 14 – Adrian Bevington (pictured), the Football Association’s long-serving communications chief, is to move to a new role after the World Cup.
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By David Owen
January 12 – The hard-fought contest to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups is turning into a goldmine for world football confederations.
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By David Owen
January 12 – The hard-fought contest to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups is turning into a goldmine for world football confederations. Read more …
By Duncan Mackay
January 13 – Indonesia’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup is facing another set-back after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warned the Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) that they could face disciplinary action following several incidents, including a one-man pitch invasion, during the 2011 Asian Cup pre-qualifying in Jakarta last week.
By Duncan Mackay
January 13 – Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup has received its most high-profile endorsement so far after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured) said that he believes that they could host the tournament.
By Duncan Mackay
January 13 – Australia will attend the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Congress in Luanda to promote its bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, even though they are upset about being unable to give a presentation after rivals Qatar stepped in to sponsor the event.
By Duncan Mackay
January 12 – Nottingham’s plans to build a new stadium in time to host matches if England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup is successful took an important step forward tonight when councillors proposed Gamston and Clifton for development, even though they claimed did not want to.
January 12 – Liverpool are already seeking a sponsor for their new stadium, which is due to start being built in April, the Premier League club’s commercial director has revealed.