THEY promised the French “hell at Croke Park” but instead find themselves on the Road to Perdition after Nicolas Anelka’s deflected second-half goal pin-balled its way to the net.

The European Union justice and interior ministers today agreed to organise campaigns to fight forced prostitution and racism during the World Cup soccer tournament in Germany.

Hong Kong police arrested nine people today for taking bets on World Cup soccer matches, in a continuing crackdown on illegal gambling.