British bookmaker in crisis talks with new Qatari owner of Malaga
July 19 – British bookmaker William Hill is currently in talks with La Liga club Malaga, following reports that the their sponsorship deal with the club is to be terminated.
China admits: We don’t want Asia to win 2022 World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 19 – Mohamed Bin Hammam, the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), will told talks with Chinese Vice-Sports Minister Cui Dalin in Beijing tomorrow with the prospect of a bid from China for the 2026 World Cup set to be top of the agenda.
FIFA begins World Cup inspection visits in Japan
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 19 – A team of FIFA inspectors will today begin its marathon global trip of assessing the nine candidates bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups when it lands in Japan.
Eligibility row between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland goes to CAS
July 19 – A delegation from the Irish Football Association (IFA) will today travel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne to lay out their case in the ongoing eligibility case against the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and FIFA, which Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington claims is exploiting them.
Scotland confirm they will back goal-line technology at IFAB meeting
July 19 – Scotland, one of the four countries that make up the International Football Association Board (IFAB) that decides on law changes in the sport, will again back the introduction of new technology following the controversy over Frank Lampard’s ghost goal for England against Germany in the World Cup.
Angry England coach demands “Capello Index” taken down from internet
July 17 – Fabio Capello found himself at the centre of a new row today after his controversial “Capello Index”, which rates the performances at players at the World Cup, was published on the internet without his permission.
CAF trying to come up with qualifying plan for African Nations Cup
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July 17 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has convened a special meeting to work out the qualifying system for the African Nations Cup to be staged in Libya in 2013.
Andrew Warshaw: World Cup was Africa’s last chance for long time
Now the vuvuzelas have been put away and South Africa is returning to some semblance of normality, attention will inevitably turn to if and when the African continent will stage the World Cup again.
Whilst the event matched or exceeded expectations both in terms of infrastructure and organisation, the reality is that Africa will almost certainly have to wait at least a generation before it can again embrace the infectious colour and collective enthusiasm that have been hallmarks of the past month.
Abramovich pays off Hiddink to avoid legal action
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 16 – Chelsea chairman Roman Abramovich has stepped in to pay the remaining 95 million rubles (£2 million/$3 million) salary of former Russian coach Guus Hiddink to avoid a damaging legal action which could have overshadowed the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
FA to wait until next year to appoint new chairman
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July 15 – A new independent chairman will not be appointed by the Football Association until after the bid process for the 2018 World Cup in December is finished, the Executive Board decided today.
Dutch MPs fear FIFA regulations if they host 2018 World Cup
July 16 – Members of the Dutch Lower House are demanding to know precisely what it will mean for the country if the Netherlands and Belgium host the World Cup in 2018.
Chinese bid for World Cup 2026 stirs pot for 2022 Asian candidates
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 16 – A potentially damaging new development for the four countries from Asia bidding for the 2022 World Cup has emerged after China announced today that they want to host the 2026 tournament.
Everton manager backs Australia World Cup bid
July 16 – Everton’s manager David Moyes (pictured) has provided a boost for Australia’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup after backing their chances.
World Cup bidders must get written permission to speak to FIFA decision makers
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 15 – FIFA has imposed strict new rules on the nine countries lobbying for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, including making the bidders explain in writing before they are allowed to talk to any of the 24 Executive Committee members who will vote on the decision.
Rooney avoids having to pay millions in lawsuit
July 15 – Wayne Rooney has avoided having to pay £4.3 million ($6.6 million) in a lawsuit brought by his former agents, Proactive.