Grondona wins record ninth term as head of Argentine FA
By David Gold
October 18 – Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Julio Grondona has won a record ninth term in office following an Extraordinary Congress of the organisation.
South America
Teixeira to face Rio police in money laundering probe
By Andrew Warshaw
October 12 – The man in charge of organising the 2014 World Cup is to be investigated this week on suspicion of illegal transfer of funds into the country and money laundering, it was reported today.
FIFA warns Venezuela against controversial sports law
By David Gold
August 2 – FIFA has warned the Venezuelan Government against the creation of a new “Sports Justice Commission”, which could cause a dispute with both world football’s governing body and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Argentina forced to drop new league plan
By David Gold
August 2 – Argentina has dropped plans to merge their top two divisions into a 38 team national championship from 2012 after the Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced that it has “suspended consideration of the proposal”.
High profile Argentine paper call for Grondona to resign amid Maradona drugs row
By David Gold
June 5 – Argentine newspaper La Nacion called for FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona (pictured) to resign for his admission that he knew there were no drug tests before a 1994 World Cup qualifying game against Australia.
Maradona vows to sue Grondona as row escalates
By David Gold
June 3 – Diego Maradona claims his lawyers will be taking legal action against Julio Grondona, the head of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and FIFA vice-president, for “slander, defamation and discrimination” as the row between the pair escalates.
Once Caldas face suspension over failure to pay player wages
By David Gold
April 20 – Former South American champions Once Caldas became the second Colombian team in a week to face a 30-day suspension over unpaid player wages.
South American President set to remain in role for four more years
March 22 – Nicolas Leoz is set to remain as head of CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, after the continent’s ten members backed him unanimously.
FIFA inspection chief ousted by his own football federation
By Andrew Warshaw
November 5 – The Chilean official expected to have a major say in the destination of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups has been ousted as head of his national federation.
El Salvador suspended by FIFA
Sobaclieu.com
May 12 – FIFA has suspended El Salvador from all international football, citing Government interference in issues of the national side as the reason for their decision.
Silencer of Maracana immortalised on sidewalk
December 29 – Alcides Ghiggia (pictured), whose goal for Uruguay stunned spectators at the Maracana Stadium in the 1950 World Cup against Brazil, has been immortalised at the stadium’s sidewalk of fame.
Argentinean crisis solved claims Bilardo
By Duncan Mackay
December 29 – Crisis talks have been held between Diego Maradona (pictured) and Carlos Bilardo to try to prevent a damaging split between Argentina’s team management before next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Passarella becomes new River Plate President after controversial election
December 7 – Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning captain Daniel Passarella (pictured) was today elected president of River Plate after winning an election that was overshadowed by allegations of fraud and corruption.
Joint Uruguay and Argentina 2030 World Cup bid given go-ahead
November 25 – CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, has backed a plan by Argentina and Uruguay to launch a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup to commemorate the centenary of the first-ever tournament that was also held in Uruguay.
Bilardo confirms he wants to be AFA President
November 9 – Carlos Bilardo (pictured) is planning to launch a challenge to become President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) when Julio Grondona steps down, he announced today