New Zealand men qualify for London 2012
By David Gold
March 26 – New Zealand have qualified for the London 2012 Olympic football tournament after beating Fiji 1-0 in the final of the Oceania men’s qualifiers.
One dead as Al-Masry fans riot after suspension
By David Gold
March 26 – One person has been left dead and dozens injured as supporters angry at the suspension of Egyptian Premier League team Al-Masry battled police in Port Said.
Australian A-League reports timely hike in crowd figures
By David Gold
March 26 – Australian football has received a timely boost with the Hyundai A-League recording its largest seasonal aggregate attendance since its launch in 2005 – with just over 1.4 million fans watching matches.
US women’s football coach looking for fourth Olympic crown
By David Gold
March 26 – United States women’s football coach Pia Sundhage has her sights set firmly on winning gold at London 2012 and has described the Olympic tournament as “special”.
World Cup law will soon be passed, insists Brazilian Sports Minister
By David Gold
March 26 – Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo (pictured) has said that the 2014 World Cup law will be approved, and indicated that it would be done at some point in April.
Landslide sees Jack Warner re-elected as chair of Trinidad and Tobago UNC
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – Disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has been re-elected as chairman of Trinidad and Tobago’s United National Congress (UNC) as his political career shows no sign of being marred by the corruption scandal that led to him resigning last year from all footballing activities.
FIFA reforms chief calls for urgent publishing of ISL dossier
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – Mark Pieth (pictured), the Swiss trouble-shooting professor brought in to clean up FIFA, has called for a swift ruling over publication of the eagerly anticipated ISL documents that cite senior FIFA officials for allegedly taking thousands of dollars in kickbacks from World Cup broadcasting deals.
Brazil give up 2015 Copa América because of pressure of events
By David Gold
March 24 – Chilean Football Association (ANFP) President Sergio Jadue has announced that they have agreed with their Brazilian counterparts to take over as hosts of the 2015 Copa América.
Exclusive: “Turkey just wants to host a major event” claims top official
By Andrew Warshaw in Istanbul
March 24 – Turkish Olympic officials claim they are playing a tactical waiting game before deciding whether to proceed with a double bid for the 2020 Summer Games and the European football Championship finals the same year.
LA Galaxy sign record breaking Herbalife shirt sponsorshop deal
By David Gold
March 24 – Major League Soccer (MLS) champions LA Galaxy have agreed a record shirt sponsorship deal with Herbalife worth a reported $44 million (£28 million/€33 milion).
Oceania Olympic qualifiers postponed
By David Gold
March 23 – The semi-finals and final day of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) men’s football qualifiers for this summer’s London Olympics were postponed following extreme weather conditions in Taupo, New Zealand.
FIFA kicks off on YouTube
By David Gold
March 23 – FIFA has made its debut on YouTube seeking to make its online content more accessible to football fans across the globe.
West Ham United among four formal bidders for London 2012 Olympic Stadium
By David Gold
March 23 – Championship outfit West Ham United have confirmed that they are one of four parties submitting formal bids to move into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012.
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.
CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers get underway in US
By David Gold
March 23 – The Confederation of North, Central and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) men’s Olympic football qualifiers have begun in the United States, with all eight teams hoping to make it to London.