FRANCE Coach Marc Lievremont has rounded on journalists covering the French World Cup campaign, saying some of them take delight in seeing the French team lose.

Alex Ferguson summed up Manchester United’s task fairly succinctly. All they have to do is win.

EVEN the self-titled “Special One” cannot claim that it was Jose Mourinho magic that steered Inter Milan into the semi-final of the Champions League last night.

TWO of the world’s greatest footballers — Zinedine Zidane and Kaka — will take part in a match to support relief efforts in Haiti.

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 striker Nicolas Anelka has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to defend the 1-0 advantage they hold over the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off second leg.

Bernie Ecclestone has denied reports linking Zinedine Zidane with the newly-vacant manager’s role at QPR.

Leicester 14 Toulouse 9

DECLAN Kidney yesterday demonstrated his conservatism by recalling a couple of thirty-somethings to his back division for this evening’s Heineken Cup clash with London Wasps at the splendid Ricoh Stadium in Coventry (5.30pm, Sky Sports 2).

Claude Makelele has signed a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2009.

Arsene Wenger wants Ashley Cole’s future sorted out “one way or the other” within a week.

Arsene Wenger is not concerned to hear Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final opponents Villarreal are lining up a swoop for Robert Pires this summer.

Thierry Henry admits he feels a “special relationship” with the Arsenal supporters, but will not be rushed into a decision over his future.

PLAYERS’ chief Gordon Taylor firmly believes Wayne Rooney has the world at his feet - but has warned against placing too much expectation on the young England striker.

Thierry Henry today hit out at constant speculation surrounding his future - and insisted “nothing has changed” as he continues talks with Arsenal over a new contract.

Arsene Wenger would like nothing more than for Robert Pires to stay at Arsenal, but will “remain faithful” to club policy on the length of new deals for senior players.

David Dein insists Arsenal “will do the maximum” to ensure captain Thierry Henry stays at the club.

ARSENE WENGER could recall Robert Pires to his starting lineup for tonight’s visit of Premiership strugglers Portsmouth, but will keep the French World Cup winner waiting a few days before revealing the longer-term plan.

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has revealed he would like to return to the Barclays Premiership.

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry admits finally winning the Champions League with Arsenal would be “extra special”.

WITH Graham Kavanagh ruled out and Roy Keane back in Manchester, Brian Kerr is set to partner Kevin Kilbane and Matt Holland in the centre of midfield for tonight's testing friendly game against Italy at Lansdowne Road (7.30pm).

ARSENAL’S near-silence speaks volumes over a possible Juventus move for captain Patrick Vieira – and suggests the French World Cup winner may finally be leaving Highbury at the age of 29.

Arsenal have confirmed Juventus’ interest in Patrick Vieira and will listen to what the Italian giants have to offer.

Robert Pires heads into today’s FA Cup final showdown against Manchester United with his Arsenal future still very much undecided.

FRENCH World Cup winner and Real Madrid veteran Zinedine Zidane is sticking to his guns on retirement, both at club and international level, he said yesterday.

Youri Djorkaeff will leave Blackburn in the new year after the club announced they would not be extending his contract.

Robert Pires “was expecting” to be dropped by France but he has no plans to retire from international football.

Fulham’s season was plunged into further crisis today when the Football Association found Andrew Cole guilty of two charges of bringing the game into disrepute and doubled his suspension from three to six matches.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has confirmed he expects new signing Youri Djorkaeff to play some part in tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership match against Aston Villa at Ewood Park.

Gerard Houllier is expected to turn down the chance to become involved with Australia’s 2006 World Cup campaign when he meets with the country’s soccer chiefs in Athens.

ARSENAL were last night facing up to the unsavoury prospect of life without Patrick Vieira as the French World Cup winner seemed to edge closer to a move to Real Madrid.

Arsenal were tonight facing up to the unsavoury prospect of life without Patrick Vieira as the French World Cup winner seemed to edge closer to a move to Real Madrid.

Everton 1 Bolton 2

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill has blasted out a warning to big-spending Premiership rivals Chelsea — ‘You can’t buy fans and you won’t get our manager either’.

Manchester United have agreed to terminate Fabien Barthez’s contract from June 30.

Youri Djorkaeff is again a casualty for Bolton’s daunting Premiership trip to Highbury to face unbeaten league leaders Arsenal.

Llanelli Scarlets 19 Agen 15

Llanelli Scarlets 19 Agen 15

NIGEL MELVILLE is remembered as a will-o’-the-wisp, slippery scrum-half from his distinguished playing days and he has lost none of his touch, if one is to judge by the sleight of hand he has attempted in a bid to clear banned Gloucester hooker Chris Fortey for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup tie at Kingsholm.

LEICESTER defender Ben Thatcher has been charged with “violent behaviour” by the FA over an incident involving Arsenal’s Freddie Ljungberg during the recent Premiership clash at the Walker’s Stadium.

Bourgoin 17 Munster 18

Eddie O’Sullivan admitted he was hugely relieved to have achieved his goal of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals after the team’s nail-biting 16-15 win over Argentina in Adelaide.