March 13rd 1998: FIFA was thrown into confusion today when its autocratic President Joao Havelange stormed out of a meeting before a vote could be taken on the future of General Secretary Sepp Blatter.

A five hour executive meeting called by a 13 strong majority to discuss Blatter’s position in June’s elections for President was coming to a vote when it was brought to an abrupt end by Havelange and Blatter walking out of the meeting room. Blatter repeatedly refused to answer questions from committee members about whether he intended to run for president or not.

March 24th 1998: Pele, Brazil’s Sports Minister celebrated today when President Fernando Henrique Cardoso signed into law his Bill to modernize the country’s chaotic sports ministry. The Pele law obliges professional sports clubs including Brazil’s poorly run soccer teams to observe business law and pay tax within two years.

March 28th 1998: Accra Hearts of Oak beat Real Tamale United (RTU) in a league match in Tamale and trouble erupted. According to a Daily Graphic newspaper report, RTU coach John Eshun and his assistant Mumuni Gamel were severely manhandled. Some fans threw sand into the eyes of the coach and slapped him from behind. One supporter attempted to pierce coach Eshun’s eye with a stick but he ducked and quickly ran to mingle with the Hearts players who were being escorted by the Police to board their bus.

The Chairman of RTU Alhaji Ibrahim Adam went to his aid and shielded him to the dressing room. Mumuni also ran to the dressing room to seek shelter. Coach Eshun told reporters later in an interview that such behaviour by RTU fans would discourage any coach from handling the club. "The team plays well away but they are full of nerves at home because of the supporters behaviour" said coach Eshun.

March 8th 1999: Brazilian soccer star Edmundo has been given a four and half year semi- open prison sentence for his part in a car crash in which three people died. Legal sources said however he is unlikely to end up behind bars, at least in the near future. His lawyers would appeal.

March 13th 1999: Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis fight to a draw but most ringsiders said Lewis was a clear winner as he completely outboxed Holyfield.

March 13th March 1999: Ghana and Nigeria have been picked to co-host the 2000 African Cup of Nations. A dramatic twist of football history, CAF took the decision in Conakry to strip Zimbabwe of the honour to stage the Games.

March 18th 1999: FIFA warns Zambian Government not to take any action that might be at variance with FIFA Statutes as it seeks to resolve the stand off with the Football Association of Zambia.

March 31st 1999: Accra Hearts of Oak beat Real Tamale United 2-1 in an outstanding league match in Tamale and there was drama toward the end of the game as reporters run for dear life. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation reporter Mahama Shaibu was assaulted. He was brutally caned and chased out of the park by some irate supporters of Real Tamale United.

March 1st 2001: Ghana Football Association Congress rejects management board accounts. Eight man committee set up to probe the Cup of Nations accounts presented by the GFA and the disbursement of $450,000 by CAF for the Cup of Nations organisation. The committee is chaired by Douglas Adjabeng, chairman of Division One League Board.