The future hosts of the World Cup in Qatar have decided a statue depicting one of the tournament’s most talked-about moments is not worthy of public display.

Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool were wise not to try to head off a lengthy ban for Luis Suarez by imposing one of their own – having vowed Manchester United would never do it again either.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has angrily rebuffed his latest critic after Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi hit out at his former boss.

Munster take on Racing Metro at the Stade de France in Paris this afternoon. For travelling fans, October is the perfect time to visit.

As expected John Terry has been found guilty of misconduct by the Football Association — hardly a shock, as he had already admitted in court having a slanging match with Anton Ferdinand towards the end of that now notorious game at Loftus Road almost 12 months ago.

In 19 World Cups, there’s never been a shock winner. By contrast, the Euros have seen three in 13. This is a competition where miracles can happen, says Miguel Delaney

SCHALKE defender Benedikt Howedes is expecting a busy 90 minutes when Inter come to the Arena AufSchalke tonight looking to overturn a 5-2 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Patrick Vieira is unlikely to be suspended for the start of the Barclays Premier League season following his sending off against Inter Milan at the weekend, the Football Association have confirmed.

CARLO ANCELOTTI insists Chelsea will not sell reported Real Madrid target Ashley Cole this summer.

Patrick Vieira was sent off as Manchester City completed their American tour with a 3-0 defeat to European champions Inter Milan.

TO begin with, a handy cut-out-and-keep guide to the 2010 World Cup, a life-saver for those who will not be able to devote their every waking hour to football for the next four weeks.

MARIO BALOTELLI is to be given one more chance by Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho after he left a blemish on an otherwise successful evening at the San Siro.

INTER MILAN will take a slender one-goal advantage into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash with CSKA Moscow next week after Diego Milito earned them a 1-0 win at the San Siro last night.

Inter Milan 1 CSKA Moscow 0

“I TURNED off the TV when we went 2-0 down. I couldn’t watch any more.”

FRANCE legend Zinedine Zidane “would rather die” than apologise to Marco Materazzi, who he headbutted during the 2006 World Cup final.

FORMER France midfielder Zinedine Zidane has re-ignited the row over Thierry Henry’s controversial handball in the World Cup play-off against Ireland by claiming that FIFA was right not to arrange a replay of the game.

IF I’d known that Roberto Beccantini was in the Croke Park press box for Ireland’s 2-2 draw with Italy, I’d have asked him to help me fill in my Lotto numbers.

Liverpool 4 Real Madrid 0 (Liverpool win 5-0 on agg)

Inter Milan remain seven points clear of Juventus at the top of Serie A after both sides recorded away wins this afternoon.

Inter Milan are set to travel to Manchester on Tuesday with just two fit central defenders after losing Marco Materazzi and and Nicolas Burdisso to injury.

HARRY REDKNAPP feels Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios will bring a new dynamic to his Tottenham squad.

Inter Milan have denied receiving an offer from Tottenham or any other Barclays Premier League side for their Italy World Cup-winning defender Marco Materazzi.

Anorthosis Famagusta 3 Internazionale 3

ITALY defender Marco Materazzi has won damages from the Daily Mail over claims he racially abused Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.

Italian soccer star Marco Materazzi today accepted substantial undisclosed damages over 'Daily Mail' articles which said that he has used vile racist abuse to French captain Zinedine Zidane.

IN A press conference room just off the hallowed marble halls of the Vassil Levski Stadium, the thin-faced Plamen Markov yesterday pondered the past and future roles of Italian football in his career as Bulgarian coach.

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi has left out veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero from his 23-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Ireland’s group against Bulgaria and Montenegro.

ITALY midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has added to the simmering tension with France before tonight’s Group C clash by branding their coach Raymond Domenech “an idiot” and claiming that, “he can’t stop talking crap”.

Italy 1 Romania 1

LIKE a good thriller, the battle for the title in Italy has produced half a dozen twists with one episode left. Those left dangling over the cliff edge after yesterday’s games include both Milan clubs, after Inter could only draw 2-2 at home to Siena and Milan suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Napoli.

THE Football Association have extended the deadline for Javier Mascherano to respond to his improper conduct charge until 6pm today.

Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini aims to put a turbulent week behind him and focus on football when his side host Palermo on Sunday.

INTER MILAN will be boosted by the return of Cristian Chivu for their crunch Champions League clash against Liverpool.

ITALIAN footballer Marco Materazzi has won an apology and undisclosed damages from the English Daily Star over claims he racially insulted Zinedine Zidane during the World Cup final in 2006.

Internazionale defender Marco Materazzi admits the Serie A leaders are going through a difficult time.

INTER MILAN are looking to the last time they beat Liverpool to prove they can come back from Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League first leg defeat.

Liverpool used Tuesday night’s Champions League match against Inter Milan to prove they are a better team than their recent results have suggested, according to striker Dirk Kuyt.

Rafael Benitez reserved special praise for Dirk Kuyt after Liverpool’s unexpected Champions League victory over Inter Milan.

Liverpool 2 Inter Milan 0

INTER MILAN captain Javier Zanetti insists Liverpool’s FA Cup disaster means “nothing” in terms of the clubs’ Champions League showdown.

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti insists Liverpool’s FA Cup disaster means “nothing” in terms of the clubs’ Champions League showdown.

IT IS normally blanket coverage when Barcelona play Real Madrid in La Liga’s El Clasico – but Valencia have been doing their best to muscle in on the media action this week.

ONE of the minor joys of European or World Cup tournaments is the way they throw up the most unlikely alliances between different nations.