Eventually a group of football administrators set up a rival body KFL which was recognised by Fifa in 2008.

BBC: CAS rules on Kenya football dispute

United lodged a complaint with world governing body Fifa in June 2008 over what they believed was a deliberate attempt by Real to unsettle the player.

BBC: Ronaldo completes ?80m Real move

"It's flattering when two of the top teams in the world want you to play for them, " said the 2008 Fifa Player of the Year, who has yet to finalise personal terms with Real.

BBC: Ronaldo confident of Real switch

After FIFA had seemingly abandoned GLT in 2008 after freezing experiments into the practice, and preferring instead to look at using additional referees, the issue was reborn at the 2010 World Cup.

CNN: World football enters technological era

For despite winning the 1995 FIFA World Youth Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games with Argentina, Messi has yet to go past the quarterfinals of the World Cup -- and many commentators believe he needs to win that trophy if he is to lay claim to being the greatest footballer the world has ever seen.

CNN: Messi joins Xavi and Puyol in agreeing new Barcelona deals

His form through 2008 resulted in him being named Fifa World Player of the Year in January - only a month after he won the Ballon d'Or as the European Player of the Year.

BBC: Ronaldo completes ?80m Real move

The senior women's side won the 2008 Asian Cup after last year making the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

CNN: Free for All: Is North Korea becoming a new football force?