Tottenham defender William Gallas claims he has “drawn a line” under his international career having not featured in any of national coach Laurent Blanc’s squads to date.

FRANCE legend Zinedine Zidane “would rather die” than apologise to Marco Materazzi, who he headbutted during the 2006 World Cup final.

FORMER France midfielder Zinedine Zidane has re-ignited the row over Thierry Henry’s controversial handball in the World Cup play-off against Ireland by claiming that FIFA was right not to arrange a replay of the game.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech is impatient to play the second leg of the World Cup play-off against Ireland, perhaps because his future employment depends on it.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI says Ireland’s World Cup play-off against France will be like a cup final and will require more from his team than they have managed to produce in the qualification campaign.

IT was almost easy to feel sorry for him. When one sharp stab drew the blood from his thick neck and the Bull finally fell, the excruciating pain could be felt through the circle of seats around the Dáil fighting ring.

“AN OWN-GOAL would be fine,” joked Marcello Lippi yesterday, but behind the smiles, there is some anxiety ahead of their biggest match so far in World Cup Group 8.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech has said he has learned to live with the unpopularity that brought him to the verge of being sacked last year.

ITALY defender Marco Materazzi has won damages from the Daily Mail over claims he racially abused Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.

ITALY midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has added to the simmering tension with France before tonight’s Group C clash by branding their coach Raymond Domenech “an idiot” and claiming that, “he can’t stop talking crap”.

Fabio Capello’s England side will face Germany in a friendly in Berlin later this year, it was announced today.

John O’Neill has been re-installed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).

Patrick Vieira has come to the defence of France team-mate Thierry Henry following reported criticism of the striker in the French press by other members of the national team.

Zinedine Zidane left FIFA headquarters without a word to waiting reporters in Zurich today after he gave his version of the incident which marred his last appearance in a competitive match in the 2006 World Cup final.

Arsenal striker and reported Barcelona target Thierry Henry insists he is fully concentrated on the Gunners’ Champions League campaign and is not currently considering his future.

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