Qatar to host FIFA 2013 Beach Soccer World Cup Asian qualifiers
By Tom Degun at the Aspire Dome in Doha
November 13 – Qatar’s capital, Doha, has been confirmed to host the Asian qualifying rounds of the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
08 April 2025 GMT: 12:01
Asia
AFC document “theft” charges suspiciously dropped
By Andrew Warshaw
November 9 – Senior Asian officials are privately questioning why prosecutors in Malaysia have suddenly dropped charges against a man accused of stealing documents linked to banned former powerbroker Mohamed Bin Hammam.
FIFA strips Futsal Arena of hosting rights over safety fears
By Andrew Warshaw
November 7 – FIFA has dramatically ditched plans to use Bangkok’s showpiece $40 million (£25 million/€31 million) Futsal Arena during the current Futsal World Cup in Thailand, deeming the venue unsafe after missing several construction deadlines.
Bin Hamman’s latest ban extension lacks evidence, claims lawyer
By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – The festering dispute between Mohamed Bin Hammam and his political opponents has reached new levels of bitterness after the current ban on the former Asian football powerbroker was extended by FIFA for a further 45 days to allow the ongoing investigation into his alleged misconduct to be completed.
AFC head Jilong slams Bin Hammam’s “intimidation tactics”
By Andrew Warshaw
October 19 – The acting head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Zhang Jilong, has accused his predecessor Mohamed Bin Hammam of “intimidation tactics” designed to derail the investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing by the one-time most powerful man in Asian football.
Bin Hammam appeals to CAS over provisional ban
By Andrew Warshaw
October 16 – Former FIFA Presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam has lodged a fresh appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the latest episode of the long-running saga to clear his name.
Singapore to use lie detectors to cut down on match-fixing
By Andrew Warshaw at the Leaders in Football conference at Stamford Bridge in London
October 11 – Singapore is using lie detector tests to try to cut down on match-fixing, according to the head of the country’s football federation.
Bin Hammam’s PA suspended for not cooperating with investigation
By Andrew Warshaw
October 3 – The campaign by FIFA’s new Ethics Committee to get to the bottom of Mohamed Bin Hammam’s alleged improper cash dealings has led to the suspension of his former personal assistant at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Gan’s husband charged with AFC theft
By Andrew Warshaw
September 19 – The husband of Amelia Gan, finance director of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the time it was run by Mohamed Bin Hammam, has pleaded not guilty to stealing in the latest cloak-and-dagger development in the ongoing corruption probe into Bin Hammam’s conduct.
Kuwait coach Tufegdžić out of coma following shooting
By David Gold
September 7 – Goran Tufegdžić, the coach of the Kuwaiti national football team, has come out of a coma after being shot last month by a neighbour in his native Serbia.
AFC Bin Hammam probe continues despite suspension ending
By Andrew Warshaw
September 6 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) says its investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement by its former President Mohamed Bin Hammam is continuing even though his latest suspension has now expired.
Olympic bad boy Park earns shot at redemption with South Korea national side
By Andrew Warshaw
September 4 – South Korean Park Jong-Woo, controversially banned from receiving his bronze medal at London 2012 for displaying a political message, has been called up by his country’s senior squad for the first time for a FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifier.
Al-Wasl move into UAE’s first air-conditioned stadium
By David Gold
September 3 – United Arab Emirates Football League club Al-Wasl will play in the country’s first air-conditioned stadium, paving the way for similar venues to be constructed elsewhere in the area.
Malaysian police probe accusations of high-level embezzlement within AFC
By Andrew Warshaw
August 30 – Claims that a senior official in Asian football embezzled nearly $10 million (£6.3 million/€8 million) are being investigated in Malaysia, according to reports.
Kuwait coach Tufegdžić seriously injured in gun attack
By David Gold
August 29 – Goran Tufegdžić, the coach of the Kuwait national football team, has been shot in the chest, allegedly by a neighbour, and admitted to intensive care in hospital in a serious condition.