Howard Wells has been sacked as the Irish Football Association’s chief executive, the governing body have announced.

Scotland manager George Burley gave his approval to the 4 Associations Tournament which will involve his team, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in spring 2011.

Two Northern Ireland football fans were taken to hospital tonight after trouble flared in Slovakia before tomorrow’s match between the two countries.

The chief executive of the North's football ruling body is taking a grievance case against its president and governors.

Hopes of an All-Ireland soccer league were dealt a fatal blow when the IFA refused to enter talks, the FAI said tonight.

Footballers from the North who want to play for the Republic will have to meet tough restrictions, it was confirmed today.

NORTHERN IRELAND boss Nigel Worthington has warned the Irish Football Association they must take a more “professional” approach to discussions over his new contract.

Nigel Worthington's tenure as Northern Ireland manager will extend to the weekend at least - and perhaps even beyond.

The Irish Football Association have been “staggered” by a FIFA proposal to settle the eligibility row with the Football Association of Ireland.

Irish Football Association chiefs are continuing their investigations into an alleged aircraft fight between two players.

NORTHERN IRELAND stars Keith Gillespie and George McCartney were involved in a fight on an aeroplane before it flew the team from Iceland to London.

The Irish Football Association are investigating an incident between two players as the Northern Ireland squad was about to fly home from Reykjavik this morning.

NORTHERN Ireland’s football authorities have once again questioned Darron Gibson’s right to play for the Republic of Ireland, despite the fact that the Derry-born Manchester United midfielder made his senior debut for Steve Staunton’s team in Denmark last week.

Stormont’s Sports Minister vowed today to do all he could to prevent Northern Ireland international soccer matches being played outside the North.

PLANS to build a multi-sports stadium at the former Maze prison site cannot go ahead until questions over Windsor Park’s future are resolved, it was claimed yesterday.

Howard Wells believes there will be no shortage of top names interested in becoming Northern Ireland’s manager following the departure of Lawrie Sanchez.

The Irish Football Association (IFA) today admitted they are looking at their long-term options even though Lawrie Sanchez - appointed caretaker boss of Fulham until the end of the season - intends to see out his contract with Northern Ireland.

Lawrie Sanchez has told the IFA he intends to see out his contract with Northern Ireland despite becoming Fulham’s caretaker manager.

The Irish Football Association are keen for Lawrie Sanchez to sign a new deal.

LINFIELD manager David Jeffrey has called for the Setanta Cup competition to be expanded but stopped short of advocating an all-Ireland league.

Irish Football Association chief executive Howard Wells has refused to clear up the mystery surrounding Lawrie Sanchez’s future.

Lawrie Sanchez had “personal reasons” for his no-show before the media after Northern Ireland’s stunning 3-2 win over Spain at Windsor Park according to his Irish Football Association chiefs.

David Healy has spoken of his pride at scoring a hat-trick in Northern Ireland’s stunning 3-2 win over Spain in their Euro 2008 qualifier last night.

FIFA has told Northern Ireland their players must hold British passports if they are to represent their country.

Motherwell’s on-loan defender Brian McLean has been told by FIFA that he cannot play for Northern Ireland.

Belfast councillors today launched a last-ditch bid to persuade football chiefs to defer any decision on a new stadium for Northern Ireland’s international team.

Belfast today continued to honour home town boy George Best.

The world today paid tribute to the footballing genius of George Best as his death was announced at the age of just 59.

Manchester United today led the tributes to “one of the greatest footballers of all time” after George Best passed away.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is poised to sign a two-year extension to his contract.

SPORTS Minister John O’Donoghue believes that the FAI should “comprise a minority” on the interview panel to select a new chief executive for the Association.