Beckenbauer calls for dumbing down of offside law
By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – German legend Franz Beckenbauer is aiming to change the offside law to make it simpler for referees to interpret.
Gold Cup 2025
Diaz hat-trick secures Panama progress, sending Jamaica home
June 24 – With the afternoon sun dropping in Austin, Texas, Panama put an end to Jamaica’s Gold Cup challenge with a composed performance and three goals from standout forward Ismael Diaz.
Aston Villa’s European Cup winners of 1982 to be inducted into National Football Museum Hall of Fame
By David Gold
October 25 – The Aston Villa team which won the European Cup in 1982 is to be inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame later this month.
Supreme Federal Court opens investigation into Brazilian Sports Minister
By Tom Degun in Guadalajara
October 25 – In the latest twist in the corruption scandal crisis revolving around Brazilian Sports Minister Orlando Silva, the country’s Supreme Federal Court confirmed that it has opened a formal investigation into the serious allegations against him.
PSL bids to improve South African Olympics chances
By David Gold
October 25 – The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has requested that the South African Football Association (SAFA) meet with them as a matter of urgency as they look to find a way to help the national side qualify for the London Olympic Games next year.
German refs questioned in tax dodging inquiry
By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – German referees are at the centre of a tax evasion investigation that threatens to heap embarrassment on a nation that prides itself on footballing ethics.
Continental signs up as European Championships sponsor
By David Gold
October 24 – Continental will be an official UEFA European Championships sponsor for both the 2012 tournament, being held in Ukraine and Poland, and the 2016 event in France.
Zwanziger continues to doubt ethics of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – The man who replaced Franz Beckenbauer at the top table of FIFA has again questioned the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
Manchester City launch global membership programme with special benefits for UAE fans
By David Gold
October 23 – Manchester City have launched an international membership programme, which give members access to a range of benefits, including dedicated fan zones, entry to exclusive competitions and offers on club merchandise.
Blatter plans for reform welcomed by Transparency International
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Sepp Blatter’s radical new proposals for weeding out corruption have been given a cautious welcome by the Transparency International, the pressure group that has been advising FIFA.
Porter to lead US team to Olympic qualification
By David Gold
October 21 – American soccer coach Caleb Porter (pictured) will be in charge of the American football team aiming to qualify for next summer’s London Olympic Games.
Cameroon qualify for London 2012 after penalty shootout
By David Gold
October 22 – Cameroon’s women’s football team edged out Nigeria to take their place at the London 2012 Olympic Games, after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory, with the sides unable to be separated after 210 minutes of play.
Woman coach for FC Zurich? Why not, says club President
By David Gold
October 22 – FC Zurich President Ancillo Canepa (pictured) claims he can see a day when a woman will coach a men’s football team, though he does not think it will be in the next few years.
Barcelona open doors to “New Masia” for next generation of football greats
By David Gold
October 21 – European champions Barcelona have unveiled their “New Masia” academy as they look to find future stars of the game to follow the path trodden by Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
Mihir Bose: Marcel Schmid bravely predicts women’s football will influence the male game
The theme of this year’s International Football Arena (IFA) conference, Football: from craze to madness, may suggest we face a sporting Armageddon. But Marcel Schmid, the man whose brainchild the conference is, refuses to take a pessimistic view of the state of the game.
“The football world is upside down, but the world is upside down, isn’t it?,” he says. “It is not only football in a state of chaos,
Playing in Team GB risks Scotland’s independence, warns Brown
By David Gold
October 21 – Former Scotland player and manager Craig Brown (pictured) has warned that Scottish players choosing to play for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games will be placing the country’s independence in world football in jeopardy.