North Korea dumps Yun and appoints Jo as it heads to Asian Cup
December 30 – North Korea is reported to have replaced suspended head coach Yun Jong-su with his predecessor Jo Tong-sop (pictured) for next month’s Asian Cup in Australia.
Asia
Aguirre says he is innocent of match-fixing as attention turns to Asian Cup
December 29 – Japan’s national team coach Javier Aguirre has broken his silence over allegations of match-fixing when he worked in Spain with a passionate defence of his conduct and reputation.
Jailed Vietnamese match-fixers banned for life from playing
December 29 – Vietnamese football authorities have imposed their latest crackdown on match-fixing, banning nine players for life for rigging an Asian club game.
Japanese seek more information as pressure on Aguirre mounts pre-Asian Cup
December 23 – Japan’s Football Association has sent a delegation to Spain to get more information about the match-fixing scandal that has embroiled national team coach Javier Aguirre.
FIFA warns Israel to speed up Palestinian talks or face sanction
By Andrew Warshaw
December 22 – Israel and Palestine have been urged by FIFA to step up their efforts to allow for the free movement of Palestinian players and officials in the West Bank and Gaza.
2014 AFF final pitches Tigers against Elephants in Kuala Lumpur
December 19 – The 10th edition of the ASEAN Football Championship, known as the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup, comes to its climax on Saturday as Malaysia meet Thailand in Kuala Lumpur in the second leg of the final, looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.
Aguirre to lead Japan at Asian Cup, despite Spanish match-fixing probe
December 19 – Japan will stick with coach Javier Aguirre for next month’s Asian Cup in Australia, despite the Mexican being involved in Spain’s burgeoning match-fixing scandal.
Sydney siege prompts AFC to ask Aussies to add to security for Asian Cup
December 17 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has called on Australia to beef up security for next month’s Asian Cup following this week’s fatal hostage siege in Sydney.
AFDP takes ‘Kick for Hope’ to Zaatari refugee camp
December 15 – While the hierarchy of Asian football continues to be embroiled in politics, on the ground the not-for-profit Asian Football Development Project is endeavouring to present the region in a more charitable, compassionate light.
On-line retail giant takes control at J-League’s Vissel Kobe
By Paul Nicholson
December 9 – J-League club Vissel Kobe has been bought by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, the club’s shirt sponsor, for an undisclosed amount.
Malaysian minister apologies to Vietnamese fans for Suzuki Cup violence
December 9 – Malaysia’s minister of youth and sports, Khairy Jamaluddin, has apologised to Vietnam supporters after they were attacked during the semi-final of the Suzuki Cup in at Malaysia’s Shah Alam stadium.
Exclusive: Proposed AFC shake-up looks bad for women as power base shifts west
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – In another contentious shake-up within its hierarchy, Asian football looks set to scrap its automatic female vice-presidency, held by Australia’s Moya Dodd, a move that is bound to lay the region open to accusations of gender discrimination just when it has been making all manner of noises about inclusion and reform.
Salman to support Blatter next May and reminds AFC to follow
By Andrew Warshaw
December 1 – Asian football’s entire membership has been urged by their president to vote for Sepp Blatter at next year’s FIFA election despite the deepening crisis over the 2018 and 2022 World Cup anti- corruption probe.
Palestine’s Rajoub says it’s time to red card Israel from world football
By Andrew Warshaw
December 1 – The head of Palestinian football has gone back on the offensive against Israel, calling on FIFA to issue sanctions following last week’s raid on the West Bank offices of the Palestinian federation.
Exclusive: AFC letter warns candidates off electioneering at 60th celebrations
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – Delegates attending this weekend’s 60th anniversary of the Asian Football Confederation have been banned from any political electioneering at the gala celebrations to which all 47 federations have been invited, along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and a host of other dignatories.