UEFA finalises China media deals with CCTV, SINA and QQ
By Andrew Warshaw
August 24 – UEFA has finalised the sale in China of media and internet rights for the next three editions of the Champions League and Europa League up until 2015.
Asia
Bin Hammam foiled further in attempts to prove innocence as suspension is extended
By Andrew Warshaw
August 19 – Mohamed Bin Hammam’s efforts to clear his name hit the buffers once again today when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) extended a provisional suspension of its former President by another 20 days while it continues to investigate allegations of financial wrongdoing when he was in charge.
Park Jong-Woo to be exempt from military service despite FIFA probe
By David Gold
August 16 – The South Korean player who unfurled a controversial sign supporting the country’s claim to sovereignty over the disputed Dokdo islands will continue to be exempt from military service despite being barred from collecting his Olympic bronze medal.
Bin Hammam vows to clear name once again slamming FIFA for an “abuse of power”
By David Gold
August 15 – Mohamed Bin Hammam has once again vowed to clear his name after FIFA opened up a new investigation against the Qatari, who has accused world football’s governing body of a “clear abuse of power”.
Bin Hammam under new FIFA investigation
By Andrew Warshaw
August 13 – Less than a month after having his life ban for bribery overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), former FIFA Presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam (pictured) is back in the seemingly inescapable claws of FIFA.
Bin Hammam suspended for 90 days by FIFA investigator
By Andrew Warshaw
July 26 – FIFA’s new independent investigator has wasted no time to make his first move, suspending Mohamed Bin Hammam for 90 days little more than a week after the former Asian powerbroker had his life ban for bribery lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
I’ll quit football once I’ve cleared my name, claims Bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw
July 20 – Mohamed Bin Hammam claims he will quit football once he has completely cleared his name after having his lifetime ban for alleged bribery surprisingly overturned.
CAS overturns Bin Hammam’s FIFA life ban
By Andrew Warshaw
July 19 – Former Asian football supremo Mohamed Bin Hammam had his lifetime ban by FIFA sensationally annulled today when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), sport’s highest legal channel, upheld his appeal by ruling there was insufficient evidence against him.
Bin Hammam hit with AFC ban over financial wrongdoing
By Andrew Warshaw
July 17 – Former Asian football supremo Mohamed Bin Hammam’s hopes of restoring his power base have been effectively dashed after he was sanctioned by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) when an audit of AFC accounts revealed allegations of financial wrongdoing.
FIFA’s Prince Ali calls for more unity and solidarity within the AFC
By Andrew Warshaw
July 12 – FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has urged the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to be more unified and pull eastern and western factions together.
India waiting for Government support before launching Under-17 World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
June 28 – India is still hoping to launch a bid for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup but admit that they still have to receive Government support for the plan.
FIFA’s Prince Ali “appalled” as Iraqi youth footballers die in bomb blast
By Andrew Warshaw
June 27 – The deaths of a group of Iraqi youth footballers in a bomb blast has caused shock and anguish across the region with FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein saying he was “appalled” by the explosion.
Drogba heads to Shanghai
By David Owen
June 21 – Didier Drogba, the Ivorian striker who starred in Chelsea’s recent European Champions League victory, has confirmed his long-expected move to Shanghai Shenhua of China.
Detained Palestinian player ends hunger strike in exchange for release
By Andrew Warshaw
June 21 – Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Sarsak, who has been on hunger strike in protest at being held in an Israeli jail without charge, has agreed to resume eating in exchange for early release, according to his lawyer.
Tributes flood in as former Syrian football boss is assassinated
By Andrew Warshaw
June 14 – Tributes poured in today for former Syrian Football Association (SFA) head Marwan Arafat who was shot dead as the country’s bloody conflict claimed its first reported prominent sports official.