By David Owen at Soccer City, Johannesburg
June 11 - We have lift-off. Finally, at 3.55pm local time, the moment an entire continent had been waiting for: Jacob Zuma, South African President, declared the “African World Cup” open.
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June 10 - David Beckham was again the attraction at the 60th FIFA Congress today as he once again lent his weight to England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup, including meeting with UEFA President Michel Platini.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 10 – Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa to make his first formal appearance in Russia’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup, lobbying against England even though he is the owner of Premier League champions Chelsea.
By David Owen in Johannesburg
June 10 – Australia tonight announced that it was pulling out of the race to host the 2018 World Cup to concentrate on its efforts to stage the 2022 competition.
June 10 – FIFA will keep an age limit of 23 with three over-age players permitted per team for the London 2012 Olympic football tournament despite the threat of legal challenges from clubs, raising the possibility that Wayne Rooney (pictured) could represent Britain, Lionel Messi Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal.
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 10 – Any chance of a challenge to Sepp Blatter’s authority as FIFA President were swept away today when he confirmed he will stand for re-election for an unprecedented fourth term - and would not rule out a fifth.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Asia will support Europe’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, even though one of its members is campaigning to host the tournament that year, President Mohamed Bin Hammam announced today.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Australia is emerging as the leading contender to host the 2022 World Cup, the bid’s head Frank Lowy (pictured) has claimed.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA, has again publicly praised Jack Warner as pressure mounts on him in Trinidad and Tobago to step down from his roles in football to concentrate on his new position in there Government there.
June 8 – Actress Charlize Theron is supporting Brad Pitt’s bid to see the US host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
By Tom Degun in London
June 8 – A group of experts today told the London Assembly’s Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee that Premier League West Ham United are the obvious candidates to provide the most economically viable future for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium post-Games in the midst of a recession.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Russia has offered to help Trinidad and Tobago “in any way possible” in what seems to be an effort to persuade FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to vote for their World Cup bid ahead of England.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 8 – Jack Warner has vowed that he will ignore calls in Trinidad and Tobago to step down from his positions as a vice-president of FIFA and President of CONCACAF and stay in his roles as long as he can use it to help his country.
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 7 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter insists there will be no repeat at the World Cup of Sunday’s stampede at a warmup game between Nigeria and North Korea that left 16 people injured.
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 7 – The race for the 2018 World Cup has intensified after FIFA today re-affirmed the decision to endorse joint bids.