By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – The credibility of world football’s governing body was rocked by yet another twist to the ongoing corruption scandal today when it emerged that suspended Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) President Reynald Temarii is likely to waive his right of appeal in order to be replaced for the two secret ballots on December 2.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has renewed his attack on the forthcoming BBC Panorama investigation into World Cup bidding, warning the broadcast will have “negative fall-out” for England’s World Cup bid.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – Qatar is stepping up its public relations machine ahead of next week’s 2022 World Cup vote with a flurry of activities and statements showcasing the country’s facilities and legacy.
By Mike Rowbottom in London
November 24 – Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chairman of London 2012 and Tottenham director, has insisted that West Ham United are in pole position to take over the Olympic Stadium – but only if their bid “stacks up economically”.
By David Owen
November 24 – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has called a meeting of its Executive Committee on Saturday (November 27), amid growing expectations that moves may be made to ensure the region retains a say in where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are played.
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As we approach the final week of the contest to decide where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be played, in just the last day or so it has emerged that:
● British Prime Minister David Cameron is to spend the best part of three days in Zurich, lobbying for the England 2018 bid. This after inviting Jack Warner, one of the most influential FIFA Executive Committee members, to lunch.
● Russia’s Government are making final plans for a visit to the Swiss city by Vladimir Putin,
By Duncan Mackay in Rio de Janeiro
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
November 23 – Russia’s Government are making final plans for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to travel to Zurich next week to support the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup – putting an end to doubts over whether he would make the trip.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – The head of Spain/Portugal’s World Cup 2018 bid says he is confident of getting at least eight votes when the ballot takes place next week for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
November 23 – F1 racing legend Frank Williams has accelerated the development of his interests in Qatar by giving his support to the country’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – Jack Warner, FIFA’s longest serving vice-president, has described as “stupid” a forthcoming BBC investigation into World Cup bidding.
November 22 – French legend Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as a special advisor by Real Madrid, one of his former clubs.
By Duncan Mackay in Rio de Janeiro
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
November 22 – Ruud Gullit has claimed that Holland and Belgium’s joint campaign to host the 2018 World Cup still has a chance of winning next week despite being the lowest ranked of the four European bidders.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – The growing animosity between Qatar and the United States over which of the two should host the 2022 World Cup intensified today within the inner sanctum of FIFA.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – The United States is pulling out all the stops in an effort to prevent its 2022 World Cup bid being derailed by FIFA’s suggestion that there are insufficient financial guarantees to support the campaign.
By Tom Degun in Monte Carlo
November 20 – Sergey Bubka, one of the most influential figures in world sport, has accused London 2012 of going back on its promise to guarantee a legacy for athletics after the Olympics by short-listing a proposal from Premier League Tottenham Hotspur that would involve ripping up the track after the Games.