Russia to reveal make-up of organising committee
January 20 – Russia look set to unveil details of their Organising Committee for the 2018 World Cup in St Petersburg on Sunday (January 23).
News
Qatar World Cup construction firms can “learn valuable lessons” from London 2012 Olympics
January 20 – Companies looking to capitalise on Qatar’s infrastructure spending spree for the 2022 World Cup could learn valuable lessons from London’s preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Javelin star Sanderson excluded from Spurs/West Ham verdict
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 19 – Former Olympic javelin champion Tessa Sanderson will not be permitted to play any part in deciding the future of the Olympic Stadium, it was announced today.
Exclusive: Spurs’ PR guru fights back over “legacy” as Olympic Stadium decision looms
By Andrew Warshaw
January 19 – Mike Lee (pictured), the man leading Tottenham Hotspur’s public relations campaign to take over the Olympic Stadium after London 2012, insists legacy will form a crucial part of the club’s detailed proposals and rejects growing claims they are merely being driven by money.
Home nations motor ahead as Vauxhall signs historic four-country partnership deals
January 19 – Vauxhall Motors has made football history by becoming the first organisation ever to sign title partnership agreements with all four football associations of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Europa League referee banned for life over links to match-fixing gang
By Mike Rowbottom
January 19 – Ukrainian referee Oleg Oriekhov (pictured) has been banned for life after being found guilty in the Court of Arbitration for Sport of having links with a criminal match-fixing gang before and after last season’s UEFA Europa League match between FC Basel and CSKA Sofia.
If Spurs get Olympic Stadium it “would·destroy the whole idea” of London 2012 claims bid star
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 18 – More key figures involved in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, including former Mayor Ken Livingstone, have come forward to criticise Tottenham Hotspur’s controversial plans to demolish the Stadium and rebuild it without an athletics track.
Exclusive: Bolt and Caborn add backing to West Ham Olympic Stadium plans
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 16 – Opposition to Tottenham Hotspur’s controversial proposal to take over the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 continues to grow, with the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt and Britain’s former Sports Minister Richard Caborn both adding their voices to the growing anger at the plans of the Premier League club to demolish the arena and rebuild it without an athletics track.
Spurs bid to move into Olympic Stadium suffers major setback with new Crystal Palace plans
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 17 – Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of moving into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 are set to suffer a major blow later this week when a rival plan to renovate the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, a key part of their proposal, is unveiled.
Decision to move Qatar World Cup to winter was done deal claims FIFA Executive Committee member
By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – The idea of staging the 2022 World Cup during the winter if Qatar became hosts was discussed weeks before last month’s vote, according to a senior member of the FIFA Executive Committee.
Southeast Asia considering joint bid for 2030 World Cup
January 17 – Foreign Ministers from Southeast Asia have discussed for the first time the possibility of a joint bid from the region to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
“Powerhouse” CONCACAF seeks fourth automatic World Cup spot in Brazil
By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – The North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) is gunning for a fourth automatic place at the next World Cup in Brazil.
New Oceania chief Chung pledges support for Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
January 16 – Acting President David Chung (pictured) has been elected to succeed the banned Reynald Temarii as head of the Oceania Football Confederation, strengthening the position of FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the process.
Putin demands Russia builds high-speed rail network for 2018 World Cup
January 16 – Russian cities hosting 2018 World Cup matches should be linked by an €4 billion (£3 billion/$5 billion) integrated high-speed rail network, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.
Papers question Qatar spending spree to secure 2022 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Qatar’s landslide 2022 World Cup bid victory has burst into yet more controversy with two newspapers – one on either side of the Atlantic – questioning how they did it.