National Football Museum to stay open until April
December 24 – The National Football Museum is set to remain open in Preston for at least four more months after being given a late stay of execution.
Verona stadium to undergo €40 million facelift for Euro 2016
December 24 – Verona have received the go-ahead for a €40 million (£36 million) facelift of their Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi, which is scheduled to be part of Italy’s bid to host Euro 2016, it has been announced.
Barca coach backs Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
December 24 – Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola (pictured) has been approached to be an ambassador for Qatar’s campaign to host the 2022 World Cup after giving the bid a ringing endorsement during a visit to the Middle East country, where he begun to wind down his playing career.
Taskforce formed to sort out Australian World Cup row
By Duncan Mackay
December 24 – The Australian Government has set-up a special taskforce to try to resolve the bitter row between the rival football codes that is threatening to undermine the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
Portland Timbers release details of $31 million facelift
December 23 – Portland Timbers have unveiled their $31 million (£19 million) plans to transform PGE Park into a top-class venue for when they join Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2011.
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.