Coach Guus Hiddink was giving nothing away regarding his future as his Russia side were denied a place at the World Cup finals by Slovenia.

Chuck Blazer was banned for life by Fifa’s ethics committee for widespread corruption, finally ending the career of the long-time most senior American in world football.

Mick McCarthy urged his Republic of Ireland battlers to ‘‘finish the job off’’ and clinch a second-round place at the World Cup finals after Robbie Keane’s last-gasp goal stole a 1-1 draw against Germany.

JASON LEONARD believes England are in a healthier state following the 2007 World Cup than they were after conquering planet rugby four years earlier.

Shane Williams says his Wales career will come to an end following next year's World Cup.

Bangladesh's match with Sri Lanka in Bristol, due to be played yesterday was the third to be abandoned due to rain at this tournament - setting an unwanted record for the most ever.

WORLD referees boss Paddy O’Brien is confident there’ll be no video howlers at the Rugby World Cup after firing off a memo instructing match officials to stay within IRB guidelines when calling on the man upstairs for a ruling.

MICHEL PLATINI claims that the return of Claude Makelele, Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram has done little to improve the French national team.

Mexico 0 USA 1

Ireland 1 Spain 1

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed a decision to take the 2018 World Cup off the rotation system was likely to be agreed at a meeting today.

German World Cup veteran Stefan Effenberg has announced he expects to sign for Fulham this summer.

One of the World Cup’s main sponsors has urged FIFA to properly investigate allegations of corruption being involved in Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 tournament.

"I and others on the FIFA executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the selection of South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup."

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra is sweating over his fitness ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.

WORLD football chief Sepp Blatter is under pressure after it emerged he oversaw the award of a €350 million World Cup contract to a company part-owned by the firm his nephew runs.

TV sport veteran Bob Wilson is to retire at the end of the month after eight years with ITV, he announced today.