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.
Gold Cup 2025
El Salvador self destruct in Houston as Canada Marsch on
Canada 2-0 El Salvador
June 24 – Fresh from emerging from a Concacaf-imposed timeout, Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch returned to the technical area at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, knowing any more misbehaviour would send him back to the naughty room. He needn’t have worried as their opponents El Salvador simply imploded in a red mist.
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.
FIFA to reopen ISL case, Blatter announces
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 21 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today unveiled an unprecedented “road map to reform” to help football’s battered world governing body get back on its feet after years of mistrust and deceit.
Marcel Schmid bravely predicts women’s football will influence the male game
By Mihir Bose
October 21 – 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.
Football “in danger” if Sion win, FIFA warn
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 20 – Football would be “in danger” if other teams follow the example of Swiss club Sion and go to the civil courts to try and resolve footballing disputes, FIFA warned here today.
Teams face tough schedule at Brazil 2014
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 20 – FIFA performed a complete U-turn today when they announced the preliminary match schedule for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, forcing teams to fly the length and breadth of the country.