Cafu announces plan for Japanese benefit game in Doha
By David Gold
April 22 – Doha looks set to host a benefit game in December for the victims of last month’s devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan.
Asia
Indonesian Premier League set for end of season merger
By David Gold
April 12 – The Indonesian Premier League (IPL), which is in conflict with the country’s Football Association (PSSI), is set for a merger with the country’s Super League, but has won Government and FIFA support to continue until the end of the season.
Government cuts off funding to Indonesian Football Association amid election row
By David Gold
March 29 – Indonesia’s Football Assocation (PSSI) has provoked a row after a FIFA observer was reportedly prevented from attending its Congress as controversy grows over the legitimacy of its chairman.
Indonesian football left in limbo after Congress cancelled
March 26 – Indonesia edged closer to facing FIFA sanctions when a scheduled assembly to organise the association’s first leadership election in four years descended into chaos and was cancelled.
Japanese stars to play in charity game
By David Gold
March 20 – All 12 Japanese internationals plying their trade in Europe will be available for Japan’s charity game against a J-League XI on March 29 to honour the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit the country earlier this month, it has been announced.
Japan to play charity game in place of New Zealand friendly
By David Gold
March 18 – Japan has been forced to cancel a friendly with New Zealand scheduled for March 29, due to be played in Tokyo, and will instead hold a charity match in Osaka, with their opponents yet to be confirmed.
Blatter opens football academy in Myanmar
By David Gold
March 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has opened a new football academy in Myanmar and spoken of the country’s potential to play a “very active role” in the development of football in Asia.
Chelsea emphasise commitment to Asia by renewing partnership
By David Gold
March 15 – Chelsea and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have renewed their partnership, formalising the club’s support to the development of football in the Asian confederation.
Blatter must be challenged to keep FIFA “vibrant and alive” warns Bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw
January 24 – The head of Asian football, Mohamed Bin Hammam (pictured), has launched yet another broadside against FIFA President Sepp Blatter but still will not say whether he intends taking on the 74-year-old Swiss for the leadership of football’s world governing body.
FIFA chief can’t resist dig at humiliated rival
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
January 6 – Back in October, at the Leaders in Football conference in London, Chung Mong-joon, South Korea’s distinguished and highly respected FIFA veteran, made a deliberate and calculated stand against his boss, Sepp Blatter (pictured right).
Chung ousted as FIFA vice-president by Prince Ali
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
January 6 – Against all the odds, FIFA gained a new vice-president today when Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein ousted long-standing incumbent Chung Mong-joon of South Korea for one of the most powerful positions in world football.
Jordan’s Prince Ali challenging Chung for FIFA Executive Committee spot
By David Owen
January 4 – The first of many prospective personnel changes on FIFA’s ruling 24-member Executive Committee is set to come this week with elections due in Asia.
Chung claims he will not stand against Blatter for FIFA President
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
October 12 – South Korean FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon today claimed that he had no plans to challenge Sepp Blatter for the Presidency of football’s world governing body.
Asian President launches personal website
October 2 – Mohamed Bin Hammam, the President of the Asian Football Confederation, has launched his own personal website.
Syria turn to Sheffield United to help them qualify for World Cup
September 3 – Syria, currently 92nd in the FIFA world rankings, have turned to Sheffield United, who are 17th in the Npower Championship, to help them develop the sport there and to qualify for the World Cup.