Blatter opens door to winter World Cup in 2022
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
January 7 – The prospect of a winter World Cup in 2022 moved a giant step closer today when FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) gave the concept his personal backing.
World Cup payments to clubs confirmed
By David Owen
January 7 – FIFA has announced details of how a $40 million (£25.9 million) pot it earmarked for clubs whose players took part in last year’s World Cup in South Africa is being distributed.
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).
Blatter blasts “envy and jealousy” of FIFA critics
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
January 6 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today denounced what he described as the “envy and jealousy” of the organisation’s critics following arguably the toughest few weeks of his Presidency.
Mihir Bose: Switched-on Beckham proves once again that nobody does it better
Has David Beckham done something that no other footballer has ever managed?
I do not mean his setting the pace among male fashion models, or the fact that he is now tutoring the next generation of Beckhams to be fashion models as well.
His eight year old son Romeo is now 26th in GQ magazine’s top 50 best-dressed men in Britain list, not that far behind David, who is 16th.
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.
Blatter may face challenge from Mohamed Bin Hammam after he expresses annoyance
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
January 5 – The head of Asian football has fuelled speculation that he may stand against Sepp Blatter when the FIFA Presidency comes up for renewal next summer.
Consolation for Australia as awarded 2015 Asian Cup
January 5 – There was some consolation today for Australia’s World Cup disappointment when they were awarded the 2015 Asian Cup.
Blatter wants professional referees at Brazil 2014
By Andrew Warshaw
January 5 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter wants professional referees to be an established part of the game by the time of the next World Cup in Brazil.
Spurs sign up Mike Lee to run Olympic Stadium campaign
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 5 – Tottenham Hotspur have appointed former London 2012 communications director and West Ham United director Mike Lee to spearhead their campaign to take over the Olympic Stadium.
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.
Mike Rowbottom: Plain talking from the City player with the title influence
So we’ve got Rodney – Marsh, of course, who else? – in the nightclub – Tramps, of course, where else? – with George – Best, of course, who else? – and Michael – Caine, of course, who else?
And Caine’s conversation gets around to all the great things Best – now playing with Marsh at Fulham – did at Old Trafford.
The problem arrives when Caine leans across the table and,
Players’ union adds voice to campaign for winter World Cup 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
December 21 – The union representing professional players worldwide, FIFPro, today added its voice to the growing campaign for the Qatar 2022 World Cup to be held during the winter.
FIFA urged not to rush decision on winter switch for 2022 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 4 – The head of Asian football insists Qatar can still stage the 2022 World Cup in the heat of mid-summer and has urged FIFA not to make a decision about switching it to the winter until 2018 at the earliest.
Rio opens emergency response centre to help keep 2014 World Cup safe
January 3 – Rio de Janeiro has hired IBM and other major international firms to help bolster its emergency response operations in the build-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.