Franz Beckenbauer insisted yesterday he was ready to answer questions from Fifa about an investigation into World Cup bidding by June 27 and believed that should remove any justification for its 90-day ban on him.

Having rocked them in the Dáil, as the Sawdoctors had it, Michael D certainly rocked them in the Guildhall, and beyond, when he announced during his visit to London that he would be supporting England at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Uli Hoeness will not appeal against his prison sentence for tax evasion, and said today he is quitting as president of Bayern Munich to prevent damage to the European champions.

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness may have evaded even more taxes than the €18.5m he admitted to in court, an expert witness has said.

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has admitted to evading taxes through an undeclared Swiss bank account at a trial that could send the German football great to prison.

Hod and Rod. Two men made for centre stage inched back into the glare this week.

Former Poland goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski has launched a furious attack against Arsene Wenger and accused the Arsenal coach of putting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s career at risk.

FC BARCELONA never tire of telling the world that they are more than a club.

FRANZ BECKENBAUER has predicted a place in the semi-finals for Germany at the World Cup, but warned them at the same time not to underestimate their opening opponents Australia.

IT’S reassuring to see that, as usual, England’s preparations for a big tournament are going swimmingly.

Former Celtic star George Connelly admits a burden has been lifted from his shoulders after supporters forgave him for quitting in his prime.

IT’S one of those Irish football yarns that is so delicious you almost have to assume it’s apocryphal. But here, from the horse’s mouth, is confirmation that every word of the great Terry Mancini ‘national anthem’ legend is true.

FORMER Manchester United misfit Diego Forlan scored twice for Villarreal on Sunday night to end the season as the Primera Liga’s top goalscorer.

TOTTENHAM sporting director Frank Arnesen has hailed Rinus Michels as one of the greatest characters in Dutch football following the death of the former national team boss yesterday at the age of 77.

Holland coach Marco van Basten today led the tributes to Rinus Michels, the man who pioneered "total football", who has died at the age of 77.

Uli Lichten

WEST GERMANY’S 1974 World Cup winner Franz Beckenbauer has refused to rule himself out of the running to succeed Lennart Johansson as UEFA president in 2006.

GERMANY manager Jurgen Klinsmann has sacked goalkeeping coach Sepp Maier after he allegedly said Bayern Munich’s Oliver Kahn should be picked ahead of Jens Lehmann.

Poland 1 England 2

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON stressed his unswerving loyalty to his players as he looked for England to transform their World Cup qualifying position in Poland today — led by under-fire captain David Beckham.

GERMANY can beat almost anyone if they play with the same determination they showed in their opening 1-1 draw with the Netherlands at Euro 2004, Franz Beckenbauer claims.

BLACKBURN ROVERS’ midfielder, Steven Reid, last night emphasised the important role that Ireland’s top internationals Roy Keane and Damien Duff can play in the development of the many young players now being introduced to international football.