By Duncan Mackay
December 15 – The Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe (pictured) today announced that the Government have signed off the guarantees required by FIFA if England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup is successful.
December 14 – The first ten days of the third ticketing sales phase for the 2010 World Cup has seen the number of tickets applied for hit the 500,000 mark, FIFA revealed today.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 15 – Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn (pictured) has fuelled the already intense north-east rivalry between his club and Newcastle by insisting the Stadium of Light would be a better bet than St. James’ Park to host World Cup matches in 2018.
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December 15 – Angolan officials have dismissed fears that the country will not be ready to host the African Nations Cup, which is due to kick-off on January 10.
December 14 - Former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan (pictured) have made a £50 million offer for West Ham United, who are currently struggling in the bottom three of the Premier League.
By Duncan Mackay
December 14 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) unveiled the official logo and slogan to be used at Euro 2012 in Kiev today.
December 14 – David Beckham’s football academy will continue to reach children across the UK despite the closure of its London venue, the managers have insisted, after pleas by parents to keep the site open, it has been claimed.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 14 – England’s 2018 World Cup bid team are stepping up the lobbying campaign with yet another attempt to woo the all-important African vote.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 14 – Russia have re-iterated their determination to stage the 2018 World Cup by stressing again that the country has all the necessary tools to meet FIFA requirements.
By Duncan Mackay
December 14 – The cities and towns bidding to be part of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup were today beginning to make their final presentations in the hope of convincing officials that they should be chosen.
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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.