Robin van Persie has confirmed he will not attend the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich because of the ankle injury he suffered in Manchester United’s defeat to Southampton yesterday.

Sepp Blatter said tighter shorts might popularise women’s football, but Stephanie Roche’s world-class strike has done more for the sport than any amount of hot pants.

Pep Guardiola has announced he wants to return to coaching — but the former Barcelona boss is keeping his future plans close to his chest.

ALEX FERGUSON has backed Wayne Rooney in the row over his role in Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany’s controversial red card on Sunday.