FIFA appoints interim head in Togo
January 3 - FIFA has appointed General Seyi Memene (pictured), a veteran Togolese football administrator, as interim head of the Togo Football Federation (TFF).
Warner claims Trinidad & Tobago programme in danger over lack of funding
January 3 – Jack Warner (pictured), the FIFA vice-president, has warned that unless football receives more support in Trinidad & Tobago than the country’s national teams could soon be facing a major crisis.
Beckham in warning over England 2018 World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
January 3 – David Beckham (pictured) has warned that England must not be arrogant and believe that they are more deserving of hosting the 2018 World Cup than any of its rivals because of its tradition and the worldwide appeal of the Premier League.
Iranian football official forced to resign over New Year greeting to Israel
January 3 – Mohammad-Manour Azimzadeh (pictured), a senior official in the Iranian Football Federation (FFI), has been forced to resign after a New Year’s greeting email was apparently sent on his behalf to his counterparts in Israel.
Work on new Liverpool stadium to start in April, Council Leader claims
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By Duncan Mackay
January 2 – Construction on a new multi-million pound 60,000-capacity stadium to replace Anfield is expected to begin in April, the Leader of Liverpool City Council has claimed.
Bristol City drop housing scheme to save 2018 World Cup dream
By Duncan Mackay
January 2 – Bristol City have dropped plans to build a housing estate in the shadow of their new £92 million 44,000-capacity stadium at Ashton Vale in the hope that the scheme will get the go-ahead so that they can host matches if England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup is successful.
Henry’s popularity undented by Irish handball
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January 2 – Thierry Henry’s notorious handball offence against Ireland has done little to diminish his popularity among French sports fans.
Manchester MP hits out at cost of hosting World Cup matches
January 2 – A Manchester MP has claimed that taxpayers should not have to pay anything towards the city hosting World Cup matches if England’s bid to stage the tournament in 2018 is successful.
AFC Wimbledon fans launch protest against Milton Keynes World Cup inclusion
By Duncan Mackay
January 2 – AFC Wimbledon fans have started an on-line petition on the Downing Street website to protest about Milton Keynes’ inclusion as a venue for the 2018 World Cup if England’s bid is successful.
Crisis talks after Portsmouth fail to pay players’ wages again
January 1 – Portsmouth officials will meet with Nick Cusack, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), on Monday after the players’ wages went unpaid for a third time this season.
Andrew Warshaw: A look back at how football has changed in the noughties
Ask football fans across the major leagues to name the biggest change of the last ten years and one word stands out: money.
Former Hearts and Scottish rugby chief executive headhunted by Man City owner
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December 31 - Phil Anderton (pictured), the former chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) and Heart of Midlothian, has been headhunted by Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to be the head of Al-Jazira, his Abu Dhabi football club.
USSF refuse to sanction second-tier leagues
December 30 – The Board of directors for the US Soccer Federation (USSF) has voted unanimously not to sanction the United Soccer League (USL) or the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2010.
Portsmouth facing threat of bankruptcy after winding up petition
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December 30 – Premier League strugglers Portsmouth, who won the FA Cup last year, have been issued with a winding up petition by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and could be the first Premier League club forced into bankruptcy.
Abramovich wipes out £340 million Chelsea debt
December 30 – Roman Abramovich (pictured) has effectively written off the club’s £340 million debts to help the Premier League club comply with future UEFA financial controls.