FIFA’s leaders today expressed “extreme concern” at the latest allegations of World Cup bidding corruption and have asked the Football Association to provide a full report of the claims.

The Football Association of Ireland has issued a statement saying that the suggestion of an additional place at the World Cup is "not a possibility" and that the matter was "peripheral".

THERE still won’t be a rematch but the fallout from Ireland’s controversial World Cup play-off defeat to France has prompted FIFA President Sepp Blatter to call an extraordinary meeting of the governing body’s Executive Committee in Cape Town, South Africa next week.

UEFA president Michel Platini fully supports FIFA’s decision to seed the European teams that will contest four World Cup play-offs next month, it has emerged.

FIFA described a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport allowing clubs to pull their players out of the Olympics as “disappointing” and urged clubs to allow their players to compete in Beijing.

Clubs whose fans are guilty of racist abuse can be deducted points or even relegated under new regulations approved by FIFA's executive committee on Thursday.

FIFA have today postponed the World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates because of fears regarding a war in the Middle East.

The FIFA Executive Committee is to take a closer look at issues especially including refereeing and match ticketing following the experience of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

Opponents of FIFA president Sepp Blatter scored a potentially significant victory, last night, when they won their fight to set up a special internal committee to investigate the finances of football’s world governing body.

Juan Veron’s move to Manchester United is still up in the air - with the club insisting no deal has been agreed for the Argentinian midfielder.