Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Owen Gibson

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Owen Gibson

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Poisoned chalice: Fifa president Josef ‘Sepp’ Blatter

Blatter key to Qatar 2022 decision

Qatar will try to hold on to the World Cup prize, but will Fifa intervene? Owen Gibson outlines the possible options.

Jérôme Champagne.

spike: Don’t pop the cork yet, Champagne

Jérôme Champagne’s bid for football’s top job has raised as many questions as answers.

Football world in a tizz over 2022 Qatar World Cup bombshell

Fifa’s secretary general has confirmed what most in the football world believe: Qatar’s World Cup will be moved to later in 2022.

Doping casts shadow over athletics

More cheats are being caught, but there are fears that the public will view the problem as endemic.

It was Maria Sharapova earliest exit at a Slam since a first round defeat at the 2010 Australian Open.

Sharapova’s Wimbledon fall leads to a court disaster

Maria Sharapova has led the criticism of the condition of the Wimbledon courts, after she slipped and then fell out of the tournament altogether.

Mourinho returns to a very different Chelsea

He is, as Smash Hits used to say, "Back! Back!! Back!!!" José Mourinho will have to go some to top his first arrival at Stamford Bridge.

Roman Abromovich.

Why Abramovich can’t buy the best

After a decade of hiring and firing big-name managers, Chelsea’s owner may be short of applicants to replace Rafael Benitez.

Deep Read: The five-ring circus

What if it rains during the Olympics?

The British government and Olympic organisers are drawing up contingency plans to deal with the inclement summer, writes Owen Gibson.

The film Boomerang grapples with the consequences of this unhappy history for Britain.

London Games ticket touts play dirty

Despite the organisers’ best efforts, officials in 27 countries are likely to cash in on the black market, writes Owen Gibson.

The gods are smiling on the Olympic games.

The gods are smiling on the Olympic games.

The run-up to London 2012 has been remarkably smooth but there’s one dark cloud — the weather.

Big spenders take risks with new rules

Outlay at Stamford Bridge and Eastlands shows era of profligacy is not over yet.

Another Fifa favours for World Cup votes row

The former chairperson of England’s Football Association has reignited the row over allegations of corruption in football’s governing body.

Massive spending is over, say City

Uefa has warned that clubs that fail to live within their means will have to "face the consequences" under its new rules.

Sepp Blather does it again

Sepp Blather does it again

Anger over Fifa president’s remarks about gay football fans in Qatar.

A Cup winner

Britain’s FA TV has been a success with fans who want inside access to England’s camp. <b>Owen Gibson</b> reports.

Coming soon to a TV near you: ‘vu vu horn’-free commentary

The BBC is investigating transmitting "vuvuzela-free" World Cup coverage, as broadcasters were inundated with complaints about the plastic horn.

John Terry’s captaincy uncertain

John Terry has pleaded his case to Fabio Capello’s staff and should soon know whether he will retain the England captaincy.

Dubai’s end game

Sports stars feel the squeeze as Dubai runs out of cash, with developments they endorsed now under threat.

Why Usain Bolt strides ahead

Years passed between Carl Lewis setting a new 100m record in 1991 and Usain Bolt going faster in 2008, but the Jamaican has now reduced the record.

Big racket over Andy Murray

Andy Murray, who could become the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936, was not the only one feeling the pressure as the tournament got going