Tottenham full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto is facing an investigation into his clash with a fan after the defeat to Wolves, police have confirmed.

Montenegro boss Zoran Filipovic has backed the Republic of Ireland to emerge from the play-offs to reach the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Republic of Ireland 0 Montenegro 0

Hull boss Phil Brown hailed Jimmy Bullard’s replica reading of the riot act as a moment of comic timing.

Manchester City 1 Hull 1

Aberdeen 1 Rangers 0

France 1 Republic of Ireland 1 (Aggregate: 2-1)

Slovenia 1 Russia 0

Robbie Keane has challenged his Republic of Ireland team-mates to come off the pitch at the Stade de France tonight with no regrets.

Kevin Doyle will head for Paris confident that Ireland can overturn their World Cup play-off deficit against France.

France midfielder Lassana Diarra has accused the Republic of Ireland’s players of “making up stories” following the altercation at the end of the World Cup play-off first leg in Dublin on Saturday night.

Marco Tardelli is backing the Republic of Ireland to push France all the way as they attempt to resurrect their World Cup dreams in Paris.

Keith Andrews reckons the Republic of Ireland will have to turn to Plan B if they are to pull off a remarkable World Cup recovery in France.

France coach Raymond Domenech played down reports that he and skipper Thierry Henry had a blazing row ahead of tonight’s World Cup play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland.

Italy 0 Holland 0

Republic of Ireland 0 France 1

Scarlets 18 Newport Gwent Dragons 3

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson hopes to finally unveil Gordon Strachan as the club’s new manager on Monday.

Benfica 5 Everton 0

Chelsea are expected to hear within a fortnight if they will be allowed to sign players in January while their appeal over FIFA’s transfer ban is being considered.