Ronaldinho canned by Coke after Pepsi drinking blunder
By David Gold
July 13 – Ronaldinho’s troubled 2012 took a further turn for the worse this week as Coca-Cola dropped him after he drank a can of Pepsi during a press conference.
South America
Seedorf signs with Botafogo and becomes Brazil’s biggest earning foreign footballer
By David Gold
July 6 – Clarence Seedorf has become the highest paid foreigner in Brazilian football after signing for Rio de Janeiro outfit Botafogo.
“Free-kick” spray used at CONMEBOL Brazil 2014 qualifiers
By David Gold
June 6 – The much talked about aerosol spray used to draw lines on a football pitch when giving a free-kick is being used during the current round of South American qualifiers for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, the continental confederation (CONMEBOL) has confirmed.
Ronaldhino sues former club Flamengo in dispute over unpaid wages
By David Gold
June 4 – Former double World Player of the Year Ronaldinho is suing Flamengo, whom he left last week after winning a court appeal to have his contract terminated.
FIFA confirm Confederations Cup venues
By Andrew Warshaw
May 31 – The capital Brasília will stage only one match at next year’s Confederations Cup in Brazil – the traditional dry run for the World Cup 12 months later.
Former FIFA President leaves hospital after two month stay
By Duncan Mackay
May 29 – Former FIFA President João Havelange has been released from hospital in Rio de Janeiro, more than two months after being admitted with a serious infection on his right ankle.
FIFA has contingency plan in place despite naming 2013 Confederations Cup host cities
By Andrew Warshaw
May 22 – FIFA have indirectly conceded that not all the required stadiums may be ready in time to stage next year’s Confederations Cup, the dry run tournament for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Argentina reverts to single champion league system
By David Gold
May 10 – Argentina has overhauled its league system and will return to having a single champion each season for the first time since 1991.
Copa America is a great opportunity for Chile, says CONMEBOL President
By David Gold
May 8 – Nicolás Leoz, the President of the Confederation of South American Football (CONMEBOL), has said that the 2015 Copa America represents “a great opportunity for Chile”.
Ronaldinho’s brother handed five year prison sentence for money laundering
By David Gold
April 19 – Roberto Assis Moreira, the brother and agent of Brazilian star Ronaldinho, has been sentenced to five years and five months in prison for money laundering.
Pelé’s Santos celebrates centenary with exhibition games
By David Gold
April 16 – Santos is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of commemorative matches between players of past and present, including the legendary Pelé.
Neymar set to be Brazil’s highest earner after signing landmark deal with Volkswagen
By David Gold
April 3 – Brazilian wonderkid Neymar (pictured centre) is to be the best paid player in the recent history of the country’s football who has not moved to Europe, after he agreed a new sponsorship deal with car giant Volkswagen.
Havelange to leave intensive care after responding well to treatment
By David Gold
April 3 – Former FIFA President João Havelange (pictured) is to leave intensive care at the Samaritano Hospital in Rio de Janeiro where he has been treated for an infection.
Marco Polo Del Nero takes Teixeira’s FIFA Executive Committee seat
By David Gold
March 23 – Brazilian Marco Polo Del Nero (pictured) is to take Ricardo Teixeira’s seat on the FIFA Executive Committee, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) have confirmed.
CONMEBOL to decide who takes Teixeira’s FIFA Executive Committee seat
By Andrew Warshaw
March 20 – FIFA reiterated today that it will be up to the game’s South American Confederation, CONMEBOL, to replace Brazil’s Ricardo Teixeira (pictured) on the world football governing body’s Executive Committee.