Iraq

FIFA has voiced mounting concerns over government interference in the affairs of football associations.

Editorial director Kevin Roberts reviews the issues of the past seven days.

The English Football Association has teamed up with the UK government and the Iraqi Football Association to launch a project designed to develop grassroots football in Iraq.

Two of the most powerful men in world sport met in Switzerland yesterday – with the issue of doping taking centre stage.

Sport marketing consultancy IraqiSport has signed an agreement with ICTAS, the precursor administration to the National Olympic Committee of Iraq (NOCI), to assist in the development of sport and the management of rights and other commercial interests.

Despite the war in Iraq impacting on most US network's TV viewing figures, Fox Sports' coverage of the first half of the NASCAR season maintained its television audience levels from last year.

Meetings will take place in Kuwait this week to discuss how to rebuild the Iraqi Olympic programme, following the recent regime change in the country.

The sale of the new Wembley Stadium's premier seating and hospitality programme could not have been achieved last year to the slump in the economy, a senior IMG executive has confirmed.

London has finally confirmed it will bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, after months of delays.

The IOC is set to approve a recommendation at its Executive Board meeting next week for the establishment of a new Iraqi Olympic Committee.

London's hopes of bidding for the 2012 Olympic Games have received a timely boost after new research revealed seven out of 10 Londoners believed there would be long-term social benefits to hosting the event.

Basketball's Euroleague has reported an overall average attendance increase for the third consecutive year.

Media reports suggest that French president Jacques Chirac has officially confirmed Paris' intention to bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The FIFA World Youth Championships have been rescheduled.

Increased security costs will be the main impact on sport this summer following the current war in Iraq, according to hundreds of industry executives voting in the latest sportbusiness.com poll.

The ratings for the semi-finals of this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament are down on the previous year as the broadcasts compete with coverage of the war in Iraq.