The Ireland cricket team begin their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign against the West Indies on Monday and their intention is to be a lot more than plucky underdogs.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has insisted the investigation into 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding will not be reopened despite the world governing body lodging a criminal complaint with the Swiss attorney general over "suspected unlawful activity" of unnamed individuals connected with the bidding contests.

FIFA has lodged a criminal complaint with the Swiss attorney general over “possible misconduct” by individuals in connection with the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones has confirmed he was looking to leave the club last season and suggested several of his team-mates were too, such was the dissatisfaction in the squad at life under then-manager Tony Pulis.

Brothers Shola and Sammy Ameobi saved Newcastle’s blushes on Wednesday night by securing a late Capital One Cup second-round win at Morecambe.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly-Ann Baptiste withdrew from the World Championships due to a “doping matter”, her national athletics federation has confirmed.

A miserable opening day for Ireland at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow saw the three in action on the track miss out of qualifying for their respective semi-finals, while Irish interest in the women’s marathon ended after eight kilometres.

Carlton stole the show on Graham Norton, but what's he been up to since the Fresh Prince wrapped?

A man in Trinidad and Tobago has been arrested for illegally carrying a gun after shooting his own manhood.

Mohamed Bin Hammam, the man who tried to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, will not face new charges that he bribed Caribbean officials during his campaign, it can be revealed.

Derval O'Rourke is through to tomorrow's semi-finals at the World Indoor Championships.

Stoke 1 Dynamo Kiev 1

CONRAD MURRAY became Michael Jackson’s personal physician after treating one of the King of Pop’s children in 2008.

FIFA have announced 16 officials from Caribbean associations have been charged with breaching rules on ethics in the wake of the bribery scandal that saw Mohamed Bin Hammam banned for life.

A PACKED Caribbean Airlines passenger jet skidded off a runway as it landed in Guyana at night on Saturday, then broke in two at the edge of a ravine.

PAUL HESSION faces his first big test of the season when he lines up for the 200m at Cork City Sports today in a field that includes Alonso Edward (Panama), silver medallist behind Usain Bolt at the World Championships in Berlin two years ago when the Jamaican shaved .11 of a second off the world record he set at the Olympic Games in Beijing the previous year.

ROBERT HEFFERNAN is determined to reclaim his title and the national record at Cork City Sports on Saturday when the mixed walk, which will also feature world silver medallist Olive Loughnane, will be one of the star attractions.

Stoke 3 Arsenal 1

NOT a bad weekend for Kevin Doyle who, having scored in Wolves’ 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Saturday, last night struck on the double at the 3/FAI International Awards.

1 THE Mary Byrne award for best female performance this year, happily, has been marked by our girls representing on the world stage.

West Brom 0 Stoke 3

Stoke City 3 Birmingham 2

FIFA have welcomed the news that the United States have pulled out of the race to stage the 2018 World Cup.

Indian organisers faced more embarrassment today as a boxer’s bed collapsed when he sat on it after moving into his accommodation at the Commonwealth Games athletes’ village.

David Beckham did his bit to boost England’s hopes of hosting the 2018 World Cup by attending the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup In Trinidad.

Tyson Gay proved Usain Bolt is not invincible over 100metres by winning tonight's DN Galan meeting in 9.84seconds at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm.

THE Republic of Ireland Women’s U17 team secured their place in the UEFA Championship final with a heroic 1-0 victory over reigning champions, Germany at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon last night.

Wigan 0 Portsmouth 0

Wigan 1 Stoke 1

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez played down claims by Sunderland counterpart Steve Bruce that the club have been “disrespectful” in their attempts to sign Black Cats striker Kenwyne Jones.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has launched a staunch defence of his record at the club as speculation about his future refuses to die down.

Sunderland today found themselves at the centre of a flurry of transfer speculation as manager Steve Bruce and chairman Niall Quinn worked on their targets.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews will replace the injured Vince Grella in Blackburn's lineup as they take on Wigan at the DW Stadium today.

CHANCES ARE you still feel a bit queasy, a shade of green inching up around the gills this morning?

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is keeping his fingers crossed after Kenwyne Jones’ return to action was ended prematurely by a dead leg.

WHAT a difference a week makes.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will assess the fitness of his various international players before selecting his squad for Sunday’s visit of Manchester City.

Roy Keane has turned his attention to former club Sunderland as attempts to strengthen his Ipswich Town squad.

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez said his government would buy dozens of Russian tanks because the country felt threatened by a pending deal for the US military to increase its presence in neighbouring Colombia.

Trinidad and Tobago striker Jason Scotland will have to wait for a visa and international clearance before his move to Wigan can officially be completed.

Swansea striker Jason Scotland’s switch to Wigan has moved a step closer after the two clubs agreed a transfer fee.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has alleged that US intelligence agencies were behind a purported assassination plot that prevented him from visiting El Salvador.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia is hoping winger Carlos Edwards can help provide the ammunition to ease the club away from the fight against relegation.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez called Barack Obama “ignorant”, saying he had a lot to learn about Latin America.