Asian Football Confederation president Mohammed bin Hammam has firmly rejected the idea of the Premier League staging games in Asia.

The League Managers’ Association have expressed their disappointment at the Premier League’s decision to allow Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate to remain in charge without the necessary qualifications.

PAKISTAN’S cricket manager Bob Woolmer has attempted to dampen growing tensions by claiming his side are keen to play in the forthcoming one-day series against England.

New Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will concentrate on the business of reviving the club’s Barclays Premiership fortunes as the row over his appointment rages on.

GARETH SOUTHGATE is Middlesbrough’s new manager — and has already been tipped to follow Steve McClaren into the England hot seat.

Middlesbrough have appointed former England defender Gareth Southgate as their new manager.

Middlesbrough’s decision to appoint Gareth Southgate as the club’s new manager looks set to go ahead later today without outright opposition from the League Managers’ Association.

Middlesbrough are set to spark controversy this afternoon by appointing defender Gareth Southgate as their new manager.

MIDDLESBROUGH will plunge themselves into controversy today when they unveil Gareth Southgate as their new manager.

Middlesbrough will plunge themselves into controversy tomorrow when they unveil Gareth Southgate as their new manager.

THE half billion euro Premiership rights deal completed by Setanta Sports last week does not mean a football windfall for Irish viewers.

TOTTENHAM coach Martin Jol will put the club’s public row with Liverpool to one side when they face struggling West Brom at White Hart Lane tonight.

Manchester United insist their unilateral declaration of agents’ fees is “untenable” over the long term.

The Premier League have claimed the Christmas fixture pile-up is partly due to the four-week build-up desired by Sven-Goran Eriksson for his England players ahead of the World Cup finals.

Chelsea remain locked in dialogue with Lyon despite claims that the deal to take Michael Essien to Stamford Bridge has broken down.

THE English FA yesterday blasted Jose Mourinho over his claims about Chelsea’s treatment and Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein.

The Football Association today blasted Jose Mourinho over his claims about Chelsea’s treatment and Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein.

SCOTT PARKER is desperate to put his Chelsea nightmare behind him after clinching his £6.5m move to Newcastle.

Chelsea have decided not appeal against the punishment for their role in the Ashley Cole tapping scandal.

The Premier League remain hopeful of hearing Ashley Cole’s appeal against his fine for making an illegal approach to Chelsea before the start of the new season.

CHELSEA will spend the weekend deciding on the composition of the team which will attend next Thursday’s disciplinary hearing at UEFA HQ in Switzerland.

THE Premier League last night started the process of appointing an independent disciplinary commission into Chelsea’s alleged ‘tapping up’ of Ashley Cole.

The FA Premier League are to launch a formal inquiry into claims that Chelsea made an illegal approach for Arsenal and England full-back Ashley Cole.

GAA fans may soon be watching championship highlights on their mobile phones with the onset of 3G technology in Ireland next year.

THE European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) continued their development in Dublin yesterday by drafting a constitution which will now be put before each member association, including the Eircom League.

Chelsea have paid compensation to Charlton following Carlton Cole’s loan move to Aston Villa.

A High Court clash between Liverpool and Middlesbrough later this month has been averted after the two clubs reached an agreement over Christian Ziege’s acrimonious transfer to Anfield.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a successful return to action tonight for Manchester United’s reserves.

The Football Association of Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer Fran Rooney today described as "a landmark decision" the ruling by FIFA to uphold the FAI’s appeal on behalf of Crumlin United FC for the right to receive solidarity payments in respect of the transfer of Robbie Keane to Tottenham Hotspur.

RTÉ will feature live coverage of Premier League soccer matches next season.

The Premier League has signed a new £1.024bn (€1.45bn) live television deal with BskyB for 2004/05-2006/07 and a £105m (€149m) highlights package that will be shown by the BBC.

Peter Beardsley has been offered a chance to join the coaching staff at second division Hartlepool United.

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis today expressed his determination to beat prostate cancer.

Manchester United and Arsenal could do battle in a winner-takes-all Barclaycard Premiership ‘final’ if they cannot be separated at the end of the season.

Manchester United and Arsenal could do battle in a winner-takes-all Barclaycard Premiership ‘final’ if they cannot be separated at the end of the season.

Manchester United and Arsenal could do battle in a winner-takes-all Barclaycard Premiership ‘final’ if they cannot be separated at the end of the season.

Manchester United will be presented with the FA Premier League trophy before today’s home game against Sunderland to mark their achievement in winning the Premiership title three seasons in succession.

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn today insisted that the club’s current financial situation has made the need to join the English Premiership even more urgent.

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer’s red card at Charlton on Saturday has been overturned.

The dispute between footballing authorities and players over television cash has been resolved after decisive talks.

The European Commission was today investigating FA Premier League commercial broadcasting contracts.

Alan Shearer’s winning strike in Newcastle’s 4-3 victory over Manchester United has been recorded instead as a Wes Brown own goal.