It would be easier and more beneficial for Fianna Fail to pull the plug and call a general election, Micheál Martin has admitted.

Brazilian football great Zico wants to run for the presidency of Fifa, even though he believes the odds are stacked against him being elected.

Roger Federer thinks Andy Murray has had the wins he needs to restore full confidence at the end of a troubled season.

“It will be an exciting match, a good one to be part of. I hope I can play well. We’ve had some very good matches over the years. I hope on Thursday it will be the same."

One of the most stunning days in recent tennis history ended with Marin Cilic beating Roger Federer to set up a US Open final against Kei Nishikori.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has resigned as manager of Brazil, the national football federation has announced.

Sevilla 0 Benfica 0 (4-2 on penalties)

Manchester United manager David Moyes has no chance of signing Brazil defender Dante during this month’s transfer window, according to the player’s agent.

A British mother has given birth to the biggest ever baby born naturally in Spain, a hospital has said.

Chelsea captain John Terry will miss a second successive European final tonight.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will start tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash at Aston Villa as he bids for the club’s goalscoring record, interim manager Rafael Benitez confirmed.

Eden Hazard is available again following a calf injury for Champions League-chasing Chelsea’s crucial Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham tomorrow night.

Ashley Cole is back from his European suspension as Chelsea take on Premier League champions Manchester United on Sunday seeking to strengthen their claim for Champions League football next term.

Defenders Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill trained today and could return to contention for Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League clash at Liverpool on Sunday.

A total of ninety-five jobs has been created in the software sector in Dublin and Limerick.

Chelsea striker Demba Ba is set to return up front in place of Fernando Torres for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland.

Fernando Torres scored twice as Chelsea seized the initiative in their Europa League quarter-final tie with Rubin Kazan last night.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez is expected to shuffle his pack once again when the Blues face Manchester United in their FA Cup quarter-final replay at Stamford Bridge on Easter Monday.

Southampton 2 Chelsea

Middlesbrough 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic will be rested for tomorrow’s Europa League last-32 second leg against Sparta Prague.

David Luiz, Demba Ba, Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel are available for Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth-round replay with Brentford on Sunday after missing the Europa League win at Sparta Prague.

Europa League last 32: Sparta Prague 0 Chelsea 1

Sparta Prague 0 Chelsea 1

Captain John Terry is out of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Wigan tomorrow after suffering inflammation of his knee.

Goalkeeper Peter Cech is available following a calf strain for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Newcastle.

Chelsea 2 Arsenal 1

Fernando Torres was recalled but John Terry had to make do with a place on the bench as Chelsea made two changes for today’s Barclays Premier League game with Arsenal.

Chelsea captain John Terry could make his first start since November in Sunday’s Premier League game against Arsenal.

Chelsea strikers Demba Ba and Fernando Torres are available for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Southampton following their struggle with a hamstring injury and illness respectively.

Fernando Torres made way for Demba Ba as the January signing made his first Barclays Premier League appearance for Chelsea against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.

Captain John Terry is in Chelsea’s squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier game against Stoke but will not start the game, interim manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed.

Fernando Torres ousted Demba Ba from the Chelsea starting line-up as the Blues looked to take one step towards the Capital One Cup final by beating Swansea at Stamford Bridge.

Southhampton 1 Chelsea 5

Demba Ba has been handed his Chelsea debut in today’s FA Cup third round tie with Southampton at St Mary’s.

Demba Ba is poised to make his Chelsea debut in tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie at Southampton after completing his move from Newcastle.

Chelsea 0 QPR 1

Chelsea stars Ramires, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard have been rested for tonight’s Premier League west London derby against QPR.

Chelsea will be without captain John Terry and goalkeeper Petr Cech for tomorrow’s west London derby against QPR.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to miss the visit of QPR after injuring himself in Sunday’s win at Everton.

Ramires is expected to return to the Chelsea squad for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League game at Everton.

Rafael Benitez looks set to be without Chelsea captain John Terry again for the Blues’ Boxing Day clash with Norwich.

Frank Lampard starts a Barclays Premier League match for the first time since early October as Chelsea looked for a win over Aston Villa which would take them up to third in the table.