Pat Hickey’s legal team has confirmed that the bond money required for the release of his passport has been received in Brazil in recent days.

Lawyers for embattled Olympic Council of Ireland official Pat Hickey have urged Brazilian authorities to transfer him from the notorious Bangu prison to house arrest because he is facing a wait of up to three months to be either charged or freed.

A senior Government minister has urged FAI chief executive John Delaney to “live up to the spirit” of the Olympic Council of Ireland’s position that it will co-operate fully with any Olympics ticket inquiry.

There’s a scene early on in the The Hunger Games where the heroine played by Jennifer Lawrence is plucked from her district on the periphery in terms of both location and life.

Greg Dyke insists he will not resign as Football Association chairman after receiving a watch worth more than £16,000 but has called for an end to the culture of gifts being given to football officials.

A thrilling World Cup packed full of stunning goals came to an end last night when Germany beat Argentina at the Maracana in Brazil to be crowned world champions for the fourth time.

Colombia defender Juan Zuniga has sent a message of support to Neymar amid criticism of the challenge which has ruled the Brazil talisman out of the rest of the World Cup.

Contrasting sporting events of immense significance to all those involved take place today at opposite sides of the globe.

An investigation into how much of taxpayers’ money is lavished on hotel rooms for ministers was demanded after it emerged Phil Hogan is staying at a sumptuous Rio hotel for a global warming summit.

THE International Monetary Fund is seeking to boost its war chest by $600 billion (€473.35bn) to help countries reeling from the eurozone debt crisis, but some nations insist that Europe must first do more to support its ailing members, international financial sources said yesterday.

England came within a whisker of being handed a World Cup qualifying campaign with France as their opponents – only for Spain to be handed that poisoned chalice.

CARLOS TEVEZ will “respect” Manchester City if he fails to secure his desired move away from the club this summer, according to his agent Kia Joorabchian.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists Joe Cole will be given all the time he needs to rediscover his best form after a disappointing and disjointed start to his Reds career.

JUST as I’m getting back into the swing of things, we’re lumbered with another international interruption.

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster admits that for “selfish” reasons he is still hoping that Robinho will remain at the Bernabeu this season.

Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho has been ruled out for six weeks with a thigh injury, the club have confirmed.

CARLOS QUEIROZ has tipped Cristiano Ronaldo for footballing super-stardom. On current evidence, the 21-year-old is a virtual certainty to land a host of Player of the Year awards this season.

Dunga has been confirmed as the new coach of the Brazilian national team.

JUVENTUS coach Fabio Capello insists taking charge of the England national team is his ambition after he quits managing at club level.

THE father of a 14-year-old girl who died after taking ecstasy has described the garda handling of the case as “a cock-up from start to finish”.

BRAZIL has granted asylum to former Ecuador President Lucio Gutierrez, who took refuge in the Brazilian Embassy yesterday after being removed from office by Congress amid street protests calling for his ouster for abuse of power.

Everton 4 Leeds 0