Nations & states

Despite being a provisional member of UEFA, Gibraltar is being denied the chance to play international friendly matches due to a farcical mix-up between the European body and FIFA.[more]

With allegations of incompetence, Guyana’s national football team has rebelled against its own federation and refused to play. Steve Menary reports on the fights for better governance in several Caribbean federations after last...[more]

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has asked Avi Luzon, the president of the Israel Football Association, to “act with the utmost urgency” and intervene in the Israel state’s controversial internment of Palestinian footballers.[more]

Gibraltar's wish to join UEFA as a full member has always been opposed by Spain. But now UEFA is giving way to discussions, reports Steve Menary.[more]

New ruling from CAS on Gibraltar’s application for UEFA membership could have an impact on FIFA and UEFA policy on aspiring football federations. New documents from FIFA’s Working Group on Small Nations show how potential member...[more]

Analysis: Putin’s increasing influence in the Olympic world and the awarding of the FIFA World Cup to Russia and Qatar make it clear for everybody: Everything is for sale in the world of sport – and the worst is to be expected....[more]

Non-Western countries are now hosting the majority of sport’s mega-events. The biggest events are leaving Europe and North America and challenging the West’s traditional dominance. Prestige and profile are the driving forces...[more]

By donating expensive stadia, China is trying to increase its influence in third world countries.[more]

"The current events in Egypt make me think of what happened in Romania in November and December 1989. Time will show if Hosni Mubarak will suffer the same fate as Nicolae Ceausescu – violently removed as head of state and killed?...[more]

Comment: There are still many who discuss a cultural boycott of Israel because of Israel's policies towards the Palestinians, and especially because of the Israeli blockade of Gaza. If sport is perceived as part of the concept of...[more]