Football Association chairman Geoff Thompson, believes the world game can bring countries together during the current political upheaval.

THREE-TIMES World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane crushed rumours about his possible return to the France team by saying he would definitely not be coming out of international retirement.

FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Italy defender Marco Materazzi following the incident that led to France captain Zinedine Zidane being sent off in Sunday’s World Cup final.

Mick McCarthy has named his side to face Portugal in the crunch World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road this afternoon.

Ronaldo is set to tell Brazilian congressional investigators whether the national team's sponsor, Nike, coerced him to play while injured in the 1998 World Cup final.

The World Cup ’Group of Death’ reared its ugly head this afternoon – and left Brazil facing a tough task to progress to the knockout stage in South Africa next year.

FLUMINENSE coach Muricy Ramalho is on the verge of being confirmed as Brazil boss following a meeting with federation officials yesterday.

Ireland will join the top tier of one day cricket after gaining approval from the International Cricket Council yesterday.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS insist there has been no formal contact from England to Jim Mallinder about taking over Martin Johnson’s role — but the Saints insist they will battle to keep hold of their director of rugby.

ENGLAND’S top clubs are still considering whether or not to boycott the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup competitions next season.

A new world record has been set for the sale of a football programme in Britain.

ENGLAND RFU chief executive Francis Baron flexed Twickenham’s financial muscles yesterday as he submitted England’s bid to host the 2015 World Cup.

World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson has called on the Rugby Football Union to turn to Clive Woodward in a bid to improve the miserable fortunes of the England team.

Ireland captain William Porterfield has branded the decision to exclude associate nations from the 2015 World Cup as “an embarrassment” and “a joke” and has warned it could kill the game in non-Test playing countries.

Canada cruised to a 51-16 victory over Uruguay to move a step closer to qualifying for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The United States, Mexico and Canada have formally submitted their joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

Paul McShane and Kevin Doyle are injury doubts for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Georgia.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm has retired from international football.

Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson has announced his retirement from international football after withdrawing from the England squad to face Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday.

South Africa's U21 fly-half Derick Hougaard is still in the picture to make the World Cup squad, Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli insists.