Remain last night held a narrow lead in the final poll of the knife-edge EU referendum campaign.

When Roy Hodgson was asked recently to contrast the centre-halves England have brought to France (John Stones, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling) with the choice Sven-Goran Eriksson had at World Cup in 2006 (Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher and John Terry), he couldn’t quite bring himself to dispute the gulf in quality.

Roy Hodgson accepts he has a challenge to overcome at the heart of England’s defence, but tempting back John Terry is not a solution that has seriously crossed his mind.

Football referee Urs Meier understands what under-pressure South African rugby referee Craig Joubert is going through. After all, he had to go into hiding away from his family for 10 days and had security guards protecting his workplace after a decision that cost England in Euro 2004.

The Raheem Sterling saga has dominated the opening transfer window exchanges. But just what moves must Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Man United make to improve on last season’s showing.

Former England footballer Sol Campbell has confirmed his intention to run to replace Boris Johnson as Mayor of London by signing up for a hustings with rivals in the contest for the Conservative nomination.

Arsene Wenger is in the market for defensive reinforcements but is concerned that there are not as many natural leaders in the game as when he arrived at Arsenal.

Thierry Henry still feels he has unfinished business at Arsenal and wants to one day help the club win the Champions League.

Brooklyn Beckham had to ask his mum's permission to stay at a film premiere on Tuesday evening.

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has emphatically denied Sol Campbell's claim that he would have been captain of the national team "for more than 10 years" had he been white.

Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell believes he would have “been England captain for more than 10 years” had he been white.

A former News of the World reporter has described listening to the voicemails of James Bond actor Daniel Craig — uncovering his alleged affair with actor Jude Law’s then girlfriend, Sienna Miller.

What joy! What relief! With our eardrums fairly popping from the relentless cacophony of speculation surrounding the likes of Ronaldo, Bale, Rooney and Suarez, at long last we have a big-name Irish transfer story to get excited about.

New Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is looking forward to becoming a full-time footballer again after two years of limited action.

Footballer John Terry has been cleared of hurling a racist obscenity at Anton Ferdinand. Here are some of the highs and lows of his career.

Former Arsenal star Sol Campbell understands how Gunners captain Robin van Persie has lost patience with the club.

Holland’s black players were allegedly subjected to monkey chants during an open training session in Krakow last night, with captain Mark van Bommel branding the abuse “a real disgrace” on the eve of Euro 2012.

QPR defender Anton Ferdinand has refused to join the condemnation of brother Rio's omission from England's Euro 2012 squad.

Former England defender Sol Campbell believes Rio Ferdinand should have had the chance to turn England down and says he never bought the argument that the Manchester United player was left out of the original squad for footballing reasons.

David Beckham has urged England fans to “stay safe” when they travel to Ukraine to watch the team at Euro 2012.

Poland have guaranteed the safety of fans at Euro 2012 and criticised former England defender Sol Campbell for telling supporters not to travel to the tournament.

Poland and the Ukraine have denounced allegations of racism and mob violence at their stadiums and assured foreign footballers and fans last night that they would be safe during Euro 2012.

Former Arsenal, Tottenham and England defender Sol Campbell yesterday announced his retirement from football.

Former Arsenal, Tottenham and England defender Sol Campbell has announced his retirement from football.

Sitting in the England manager’s dugout and giving his team talk from the England dressing room, Harry Redknapp watched Tottenham’s season slide out of view; and he must have been wondering if the football gods were laughing at him.

Arsene Wenger believes Thierry Henry could give Arsenal the same short-term boost provided by Sol Campbell when he returned to the club for a second spell in 2010.

ARSENE WENGER has warned Arsenal fans not to expect the Thierry Henry of 10 years ago if the legendary striker rejoins the club as expected in a two-month loan deal.

ACCORDING to a study carried out by the CIES Football Observatory — a shadowy bunch of stattos based in Switzerland — Arsenal are reigning Premier League champions.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed speculation linking the club with a move for Sol Campbell.

Former England defender Sol Campbell has left Newcastle, it was reported today.

WHEN Giovanni Trapattoni gets down to some forward thinking today, he’ll have learned a few pointers from events at the Britannia.

1 SOCCER Stoke Nightlead

Veteran defender Sol Campbell has returned to the Newcastle side against Stoke for only his second Premier League start under manager Alan Pardew.

Cheik Tiote returns from his three-match ban as Newcastle return to action against Arsenal at St James’ Park for the first time since Andy Carroll’s departure.

IT was 6.48pm before Sky Sports News got the shot they wanted. Fernando Torres’ shirt ablaze outside Anfield.

Injury-hit Newcastle face Tottenham at St James’ Park tomorrow without a host of first-team regulars after more bad news for manager Alan Pardew this week.

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is out of Sunday’s derby clash with Sunderland.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is sweating on the fitness of a series of key players ahead of tomorrow evening’s FA Cup third round trip to Stevenage.

Shola Ameobi is again likely to lead the line for Newcastle against West Ham tomorrow night with Andy Carroll still sidelined.

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is out of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Wigan.

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is a major doubt for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Wigan.

BEFORE we get to the important stuff can I just say that, however bad things get at Chelsea, one thing I will always be grateful for is that I am not an Arsenal fan.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has left £24m striker Mario Balotelli on the bench for this afternoon’s Premier League trip to Newcastle.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will have central defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson back from suspension for tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Birmingham.