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.
South Africans need to embrace World Cup says Jordaan
December 30 – The South African public must show more enthusiasm for the 2010 World Cup in their country, chief executive Danny Jordaan said today.
Stadium contractor for Euro 2012 fired in Poland
December 30 – Wroclaw, one of four Polish cities due to host the 2012 European Championships, today scrapped a stadium construction deal with Mostostal Warszawa, Mayor Rafal Dutkiewicz said.
Fenerbahce angry over Euro 2016 snub
December 29 – Fenerbahce today hit out at the exclusion of its Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium from Turkey’s bid to host the 2016 European Championships.
Real Madrid deny Manchester City owner wants to buy them
December 29 – Real Madrid has denied that Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour (pictured) made a €1 billion (£902 million) offer to buy the Spanish club.
Indonesia World Cup bid may be scrapped
By Duncan Mackay
December 29 – Indonesia may be forced to withdraw its bid to host the 2022 World Cup unless it can persuade the Government to back it, the chairman of the country’s Football Association has admitted.
Silencer of Maracana immortalised on sidewalk
December 29 – Alcides Ghiggia (pictured), whose goal for Uruguay stunned spectators at the Maracana Stadium in the 1950 World Cup against Brazil, has been immortalised at the stadium’s sidewalk of fame.
Tickets on sale for African Nations Cup a week late
December 29 – Ticket sales for the 2010 African Nations Cup are running late due to logistical problems, an official said today, less than two weeks before the tournament starts in Angola.
Argentinean crisis solved claims Bilardo
By Duncan Mackay
December 29 – Crisis talks have been held between Diego Maradona (pictured) and Carlos Bilardo to try to prevent a damaging split between Argentina’s team management before next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Angola officially opens stadiums for African Nations Cup
December 29 – Two of the four stadiums hosting the 2010 African Cup of Nations, due to open in less than two weeks, have been officially opened.
Compromise can be reached in MLS row claims negotiator
December 29 – A solution to the employment row threatening to overshadow next season’s Major League Soccer (MLS) season can be reached, Jimmy Conrad (pictured), a leading player involved in negotiations has claimed.