Ireland payout to Wells being investigated
December 23 – Sport Northern Ireland has launched an official review into how the Irish Football Association (IFA) acted in the Howard Wells (pictured) affair.
Exclusive: We will beat Olympic Stadium claim Tottenham
By Andrew Warshaw
December 23 – Tottenham Hotspur are convinced they can persuade FIFA to choose their new ground over the Olympic stadium if England wins the right to stage the 2018 World Cup.
Turkey launch billion pound Euro 2016 bid
By Duncan Mackay
December 23 – Turkey would bring a passion and spirit to Euro 2016 missing from the 2008 tournament, Sports Minister Faruk Nafiz Özak (pictured) claimed as the country officially launched its €1.75 billion (£1.5 billion) campaign today.
Government boost for Italy Euro 2016 bid
By Duncan Mackay
December 23 - The Government is set to give Italy’s bid to host the 2016 European Championships €25 million (£22 million) but have warned that local authorities must bankroll the rest of the money needed to upgrade the country’s stadiums in time for the tournament if the campaign is successful.
Portsmouth hopes for new stadium dashed
December 23 – Portsmouth’s plans for a new stadium are again in the balance after the Council dropped plans to designate an area of the city for development for a state-of-the-art ground for the Premier League strugglers.
Australian pitches criticised for lack of quality
December 23 – A players’ survey published today has criticised the standard of some A-League pitches, including venues proposed for World Cup matches if Australia wins the right to host either of the 2018 or 2022 events.
FIFA Executive Committee member offers to step down in Thailand
By Duncan Mackay
December 23 - Worawi Makudi (pictured), the President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and a member of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee, has threatened to step down from his post after the country’s disastrous campaign in the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEA) tournament.
Blatter is an embarrassment claims FAI chief executive
By Duncan Mackay
December 22 – John Delaney, the chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), has called Sepp Blatter (pictured) an embarrassment for his behaviour after they were controversially beaten by France in their World Cup Qualifying Play-off.
Blanc calls for new Bordeaux stadium for Euro 2016
December 21 – Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc (pictured) has called for a new stadium to be built for the French champions as part of France’s bid to host the 2016 European Championships.
Messi and Marta crowned FIFA players of the year
December 21 – Barcelona’s Argentinian Lionel Messi (pictured) was tonight named as FIFA’s World Player of the Year for 2009 at a glittering ceremony in Zurich.
England chance to impress Egyptian FIFA member
By Duncan Mackay
December 21 – England will launch their World Cup preparations on March 3 when they take on Egypt at Wembley, a match that will also give the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup an opportunity to promote their campaign to to Hany Abou Rida, a member of FIFA’s Executive Committee.
Kroenke close to Arsenal takeover after buying more shares
.jpg)
December 21 – Stan Kroenke (pictured) has bought a further 25 Arsenal shares and the American businessman is now only 17 shares from being required to make a full takeover bid.
Nottingham World Cup stadium opponents vow to fight on
December 21 – Opponents of Nottingham’s new 45,000-capacity stadium earmarked to host World Cup matches if England’s bid to host stage the 2018 World Cup is successful have promised that they will not stop their campaign.
FA reveal 16 clubs applied for Women’s Super League
December 21 – Sixteen clubs have applied to the Football Association to become part of the new FA Women’s Super League, that is due to launch in March 2011, they announced today.
Mihir Bose: The World Cup has always been more than just about football
So you thought hosting the World Cup was just a series of (possibly) great football matches? Think again. FIFA has made it clear to all countries bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups that they must agree to a host of conditions which seem far removed from the beautiful game.