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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 13 – The United States have tried to take advantage of Australia’s problems with the rival codes by insisting that they have no problem with gaining control of the stadiums that they want to use for the World Cup.
By David Owen at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
June 12 – “We don’t know what is going to happen today”. This comment by Sergio Gustavo Segovia, a journalist with Diario Crónica, the Buenos Aires daily, epitomises the ambivalence many Argentinians feel about the man at the helm of their 2010 World Cup challenge: Diego Armando Maradona, possessor of the notorious Hand of God, quite possibly the greatest footballer seen on this planet.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 12 – The United States does not have any plans at the moment to withdraw its bid for the 2018 World Cup, even though they are the only non-European bidders left following the decision of Australia earlier this week to concentrate on winning the right to host the 2022 tournament.
As I start to write this piece, England’s footballers are about to engage in their latest bid to end 30 years of hurt - sorry, make that 44 years, forgot to add the 14 since the European Championships ended with that penalty shoot-out at Wembley against let’s move on - and their prospects are as boundless as a blank page. Southgate. Why couldn’t he just blast it?
So we’re all at it again. Hoping.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 11 – A panel of legal experts have been appointed by the Trinidad and Tobago Government to advise them on whether FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (pictured) should be allowed to combine his football roles with his position as the country’s Minister of Works and Transport.
By David Owen at Soccer City, Johannesburg
June 11 - We have lift-off. Finally, at 3.55pm local time, the moment an entire continent had been waiting for: Jacob Zuma, South African President, declared the “African World Cup” open.
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Football World Cups are like political elections. Just as politicians promise the earth when they want power, so a World Cup is preceded by extravagant promises by the organisers that rarely materialise.
Will South Africa be any different?
It will and it will not.
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June 10 - David Beckham was again the attraction at the 60th FIFA Congress today as he once again lent his weight to England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup, including meeting with UEFA President Michel Platini.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 10 – Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa to make his first formal appearance in Russia’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup, lobbying against England even though he is the owner of Premier League champions Chelsea.
By David Owen in Johannesburg
June 10 – Australia tonight announced that it was pulling out of the race to host the 2018 World Cup to concentrate on its efforts to stage the 2022 competition.
June 10 – FIFA will keep an age limit of 23 with three over-age players permitted per team for the London 2012 Olympic football tournament despite the threat of legal challenges from clubs, raising the possibility that Wayne Rooney (pictured) could represent Britain, Lionel Messi Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal.
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 10 – Any chance of a challenge to Sepp Blatter’s authority as FIFA President were swept away today when he confirmed he will stand for re-election for an unprecedented fourth term - and would not rule out a fifth.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Asia will support Europe’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, even though one of its members is campaigning to host the tournament that year, President Mohamed Bin Hammam announced today.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Australia is emerging as the leading contender to host the 2022 World Cup, the bid’s head Frank Lowy (pictured) has claimed.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA, has again publicly praised Jack Warner as pressure mounts on him in Trinidad and Tobago to step down from his roles in football to concentrate on his new position in there Government there.