Women’s World Cup holders Japan failed to capitalise on their territorial dominance and were held to a goalless draw by Sweden in an Olympic Games Group F clash at the City of Coventry Stadium.

Robin van Persie will not be able to challenge his controversial sending off against Barcelona last night, UEFA today confirmed.

The Fratellis have split up. The Scottish band - who had hits with ‘Chelsea Dagger’ and ‘Whistle For The Choir’ and won Best British Breakthrough act at the BRIT Awards 2007 - have decided to part ways after five years together.

Centre Darren Cave and openside David Pollock are the two changes to the Ulster side to play Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup at Ravenhill on Friday.

Sun Jihai has insisted he does not plan to quit international football despite being handed a five-game suspension by FIFA.

A member of the Dublin management team could be in hot water after it was alleged that he head-butted Monaghan forward Thomas Freeman in the aftermath of the sides' NFL Division 2 draw at Parnell Park on Sunday.

Zinedine Zidane has urged Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to shrug off any criticism from the club’s fans ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Roma.

A Dáil committee may meet the whistleblower who uncovered the Grace foster-home abuse scandal. She claimed that the HSE is using gaps in knowledge to “hoodwink” TDs and avoid publicly answering questions.

A Labour TD who helped blow the whistle on corruption in An Garda Siochana in Donegal was today ordered to reveal details about his trusted informer.

England manager Steve McClaren believes it is easy to see why managers lose their cool during matches - but insists they must always shake hands and "be humble" once the final whistle blows.

Police arrested a Tottenham fan who fiercely abused Arsenal’s former Spurs skipper Sol Campbell as the players left the field after Saturday’s North London derby at White Hart Lane.

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to remain calm in the face of abuse from opposing fans this sason.

Strathclyde Police have confirmed Celtic striker Ross Wallace has made a complaint of assault following last night’s game against Motherwell.

World Cup-winning flanker Neil Back today revealed that having to watch England’s record-ending defeat to Ireland at Twickenham from the bench convinced him it was time to bring an end to his international career.