South African World Cup ticket rush cools
May 5 – More than half of the 500,000 World Cup tickets offered for cash sales are still available, South African officials have admitted with just over a month until the start of the tournament.
Exclusive: South Korean World Cup bid leader to support North Korea in South Africa
By David Owen
May 5 – One of the leaders of South Korea’s 2022 World Cup bid is planning to attend one of North Korea’s forthcoming World Cup matches, in a fresh indication of how the bid could help foster better relations between the two countries.
Blatter praises Russia’s “remarkable” World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
May 4 - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has wracked up the tension ahead of next week’s 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid book handover by labelling Russia’s campaign as “remarkable”.
Platini promises Euro 2012 will take place in Ukraine
May 4 – Michel Platini (pictured), the President of UEFA, promised today that Ukraine will remain as co-host of Euro 2012 but warned that if any of the four cities is not fully ready then they would be dropped from the schedule.
West Ham face challenge from AEG for Olympic Stadium
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May 4 – Premier League West Ham United face opposition to take over the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games from AEG, the sports and entertainment company who already own the O2 Arena.
Mihir Bose: Sepp Blatter has neutralised Bin Hammam and sees no threat from Platini
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Sepp Blatter has always been insistent that football should control itself and not be run by politicians.
Yet the great irony is that he is the ultimate football politician, the man who could teach many a professional politician a trick or two.
Andrew Warshaw: Hooliganism reminder that England 2018 can take nothing for granted
England’s 2018 World Cup campaign team have been at great pains to highlight the progress that has been made since the dark days of football hooliganism that became known around the world as “the English disease”.
Exclusive: It would need a miracle for me to be separated from Warner says Blatter
By David Owen
May 4 – FIFA President Joseph Blatter has sent a message of support to Jack Warner, in the wake of allegations he is waging a covert campaign to evict the CONCACAF President from world football’s governing body.
Japan drops 2018 World Cup bid to focus on 2022
May 4 – Japan has dropped its bid to host the 2018 World Cup and instead concentrate on its campaign for the 2022 tournament, the country’s Football Association President Motoaki Inukai (pictured right) said.
Brazil preparations for 2014 World Cup behind schedule already FIFA reveal
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May 3 – Preparations for the 2014 World Cup have been slammed by FIFA, who have said that “it is amazing how Brazil is already late”.
South African construction workers given free World Cup tickets
May 3 – Construction workers who built South Africa’s stadiums for the 2010 World Cup were today given free tickets by the organisers to watch the matches.
Jack Warner claims that Andrew Jennings is part of Trinidad Government plot to smear him
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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 3 – Jack Warner (pictured), the vice-president of FIFA, has accused British investigative journalist Andrew Jennings of being part of a plot by the Trinidad and Tobago Government to smear his name ahead of the country’s General Election on May 24.
Row over taxes hits Euro 2012 preparations
May 3 – A new row that could threaten Euro 2012 has erupted after Poland’s Ministry of Finance said that it wants to renegotiate its agreement with UEFA exempting them from taxes during the tournament.
Hiddink wins support of Chung for Netherlands-Belgium World Cup bid
May 2 – Former South Korean national team coach Guus Hiddink and FIFA vice-president President Chung Mong-Joon have pledged to cooperate on their nation’s respective bids to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup competitions.
Exclusive: FIFA lift Olympic dress ban on Iranian women’s team
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 2 – A ban on Iran’s women’s team competing in the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore later this year has been lifted after a new set of clothing that complied with the Islamic dress code was proposed to FIFA, it has been claimed.