I want to be in Team GB, says Celtic’s Hooper
By David Gold
October 28 – Celtic’s Gary Hooper has said that he would be keen to be a part of the British football team selected by Stuart Pearce at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
World Tournaments
Canada’s women aim for Olympic spot after lucky qualification draw
By David Gold
October 25 – Canada’s national women’s football team have been drawn alongside Costa Rica, Cuba and Haiti as they look to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“I’m not in Team GB job only to select English players,” says Pearce
By Mike Rowbottom at Wembley Stadium
October 20 – Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell were today confirmed officially as respective managers for the GB men’s and women’s football teams at the London 2012 Games, as revealed first on insideworldfootball.
Armenian diaspora plead with Platini to replay Ireland qualifier
By David Gold
October 20 – The Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe (FAUE) has asked UEFA President Michel Platini for the crucial European Championship qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Armenia to be replayed after the Irish controversially won their encounter in Dublin earlier this month.
Exclusive: Pearce and Powell set for Team GB football roles in London 2012
By Mike Rowbottom
October 19 – Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell are set to be named as respective managers for the Team GB men’s and women’s football teams at London 2012, nine years after they studied alongside each other to earn UEFA Pro Licences.
Beckham has his sights set on Olympic gold on home soil
By David Gold
October 18 – LA Galaxy’s David Beckham has reiterated his desire to play for Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and has his sights firmly set on gold.
Poland steps up battle against racism in Euro 2012 build-up
By David Gold
October 15 – A match involving a team comprised of players from a range of ethnic backgrounds and Polish stars has taken place in Warsaw as part of the ‘Never Again’ Association’s ‘Poland for All’ event.
Ireland’s run of bad luck may just be up as they face Estonia in Euro 2012 play-offs
By Andrew Warshaw
October 13 – Two years after being dealt the cruellest of blows by Thierry Henry’s infamous handball, Lady Luck at last shone on the Republic of Ireland today when they were handed by far the easiest pairing in the Euro 2012 play-offs following the draw in Krakow.
Morocco set to host London 2012 Olympic qualifiers after Egypt pull out
By David Gold
October 13 – The London 2012 Olympic football qualifying tournament for Africa, which doubles as the under-23 African Championship, will be held in Morocco after Egypt had to withdraw as hosts earlier this week following violence in Cairo, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed today.
England’s Euro 2012 hopes dashed as Rooney is dealt three-match suspension
By Andrew Warshaw
October 13 – England’s hopes of winning their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup were dealt a crushing blow today when UEFA’s disciplinary body banned Wayne Rooney for effectively the entire group phase of the Euro 2012 finals.