Iran bids to host World Club Cup
By David Gold
May 18 – Iran is bidding to host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2013 and 2014, along with Morocco, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Gold Cup 2025
Panama-Honduras in Glendale and Canada-Guatemala in Minnesota complete Gold Cup quarter final line-up
June 25 – The Gold Cup quarter-final line-up was completed yesterday with Panama vs Honduras being scheduled for the State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Saturday June 28.
FA marketing and communications director quits
By Andrew Warshaw
May 17 – Julian Eccles quit today as marketing and communications director of the English Football Association, another blow to the image of the organisation in the wake of its failed 2018 World Cup bid.
FIFA and UEFA take attempt to charge UK audience to watch international tournaments to the European Court of Justice
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By David Gold
May 16 – Football’s governing body FIFA and UEFA, the most powerful regional confederation, are to contest a legal ruling preventing them from charging supporters to view World Cup and European Championship games.
Plan drawn up for Russia 2018 high speed rail network
By David Gold
May 16 – The Institute of Economics and Transport Development in Russia has prepared a draft plan for the development of a rail network to transport fans and players across the country during the 2018 World Cup.
PSSI to hold congress as Indonesia hopes to avoid FIFA ban
By David Gold
May 16 – Djoko Driyono, the acting secretary general of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) has confirmed that their congress was being held to avoid further censure from FIFA.
West Ham still plan to move to Olympic Stadium despite relegation
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – West Ham United insisted today that they still plan to move into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 despite being relegated from the Premier League.
Over 100 Spartak Moscow fans arrested after violence erupts during league game
By David Gold
May 16 – More than 120 Spartak Moscow supporters were arrested after a riot during their match against Krylia Sovetov Samara in the Russian Premier League.
Fresh claims that Leoz asked for knighthood to vote for England 2018
By Duncan Mackay
May 16 – Another British MP has come forward to claim that Paraguay’s Nicolas Leoz (pictured) asked for a knighthood in return for voting for England to host the 2018 World Cup.
Bin Hammam takes aim at Blatter as FIFA Presidential race intensifies
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Mohamed Bin Hammam today hit back at Sepp Blatter’s assertion that a vote for the Qatari challenger at next month’s FIFA Presidential election would result in the organisation “disappearing into a black hole”.
Makudi confirms legal challenge to Triesman bribery claims
Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – FIFA’s Thai executive committee member Worawi Makudi publicly confirmed today that he plans to file charges against former English Football Association chairman Lord Triesman for making bribery accusations against him over England’s 2018 World Cup bid.
Bernstein admits Triesman allegations could be difficult to prove
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – English FA chairman David Bernstein has admitted that the latest corruption claims against FIFA Executive Committee members may be impossible to prove.
David Owen: Blatter win would give him the perfect opportunity to reform FIFA
Former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman’s allegations last week to a UK Parliamentary Committee concerning four FIFA Executive Committee members certainly caught the eye of the media.
And they have already resulted in one of the four – Worawi Makudi of Thailand – claiming he is planning to sue the former UK Foreign Office minister, who also headed England’s unsuccessful bid for the 2018 World Cup until forced to resign a year ago.
Blatter and Platini open Serbian “House of Football”
By David Gold
May 15 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini have opened a “House of Football” in Serbia, consisting of six fields, a hotel, several gyms and training grounds.
Hearts sign sponsorship deal with wonga.com
By David Gold
May 15 – Scottish Premier League outfit Heart of Midlothian has agreed a shirt sponsorship deal with Wonga.com, the online short term loans company, replacing Ukio Bankas from the start of next season.
Exclusive: Collins urges World Cup 2022 re-vote if Qatar allegations are proven
By Andrew Warshaw
May 15 – One of the British MPs who exposed football’s latest corruption scandal has urged FIFA to stage a re-vote if it is proved that 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar bribed two senior officials.