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We were there to watch the World Cup draw.
But I spent a fair bit of time in South Africa talking about FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s ambitions for a fourth term, including with FIFA movers and shakers.
By Duncan Mackay
December 14 – Jeff Kennett (pictured), one of Australia’s most prominent politicians and now the President of leading Australian Football League (AFL) club Hawthorn, has warned that the organisers behind the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup are prepared to chase their dream at the expense of everyone else.
December 14 – Stoke City have become the first Premier League club to publicly declare that they are prepared to financially back England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup with a donation of £250,000.
I have never been able to understand why football’s administrators, who make such extravagant claims on behalf of the game, have not been able to come to terms with the modern world.
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By Duncan Mackay
December 13 – Ronald De Boer (pictured right), the former Barcelona and Holland star, said that he is supporting Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup because he believes the tiny country on the Arabian Peninsula can put on the best tournament.
By Duncan Mackay
December 13 – The row between the rival codes will not be allowed to overshadow the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, the head of Football Federation Australia (FFA) Ben Buckley (pictured) promised today.
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December 12 – New Zealand have opened discussions with international officials about retaining the present system of World Cup qualification for the 2014 tournament that would see them trying to reach Brazil via the Asian route.
December 12 – Hull City’s future could depend on the KC Stadium being chosen to be one of the venues for the 2018 World Cup if England’s bid is successful, the club’s chairman Adam Pearson has claimed.
December 11 – The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has officially unveiled former Coca-Cola marketing guru Jonathan Ford (pictured) as its new chief executive, as first revealed by insideworldfootball last month.
By Duncan Mackay
December 11 – Franz Beckenbauer (pictured) has again praised Australia’s bid to host the World Cup but warned, that with the 2018 tournament set to come back to Europe, then 2022 is a more realistic opportunity.
By Duncan Mackay
December 11 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) today ratified the four Ukrainian cities chosen to host the 2012 European championships with the final to take place in Kiev.
December 11 – England coach Fabio Capello (pictured) is paid more than any other manager at next summer’s World Cup, according to a report published today.
December 11 – West Midlands Police have ruled out a criminal investigation into allegations of “financial irregularities” in the accounts of Premier League Birmingham City, they announced today.
By Duncan Mackay
December 11 – Liverpool’s problems, already serious following their elimination from the Champions League and struggling in the Premiership, could become even worse, former Manchester City and England star Rodney Marsh has warned today.
Liverpool are one of the greatest football clubs in world football. But let’s make no mistake, the legends of Anfield are watching solemnly over what is now a distant shadow of the supreme history of this once proud football titan. The names of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley hang like a concrete millstone around the neck of Rafa Benitez.