Serge Blanco claims the defiance of the Rugby Football Union and the undermining of his country’s domestic championship are the reasons behind the decision by French clubs to boycott next season’s Heineken Cup.

“That is definitely my biggest regret of retiring - is this Joe Schmidt team, being part of it for a World Cup. I do think that they are capable of great things.”

The wife of English referee Howard Webb said she had “every confidence” in her husband after he set a new World Cup final record by handing out 14 yellow cards and one red as Spain clinched their first victory in the global showpiece.

DIEGO MARADONA will tell Lionel Messi to go out and destroy Germany – just like he himself did in the 1986 World Cup final.

Referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina has confirmed Fifa cracked down on holding by defenders at set-pieces after a series of early incidents at the World Cup in Russia.

English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke believes significant doubt remains over whether Qatar will actually host the 2022 World Cup, five years on from what he calls “the worst moment in Fifa’s history”.

When O’Brien walked out to bat in Bangalore during the 2011 World Cup, Ireland needed 222 runs to win in 27.4 overs and England’s fielders were already going through the motions.

Samuel Eto’o hopes holding the World Cup in South Africa can help eradicate racism in European football.

SOCCER revolutions in the People's Republic of China have seen many false dawns, but newly appointed national coach Zhu Guanghu is determined to start the re-building process at Lansdowne Road tonight.

Sergio Parisse has hit out at World Rugby’s “ridiculous” decision to cancel Italy’s World Cup match against New Zealand.

The sport’s governing body wanted to revamp rugby’s global calendar with the introduction of a new competition for the top 12 teams from both the northern and southern hemispheres.

The 2016 European Championships could be a target for terror attacks, the US State Department has warned.

Kiaran McLaughlin is eyeing a second Breeders’ Cup victory with Invasor following his triumph in the Dubai World Cup.

PERHAPS the biggest surprise about France’s toothless defeat to Mexico, which leaves their World Cup fate out of their hands, is that it came as no surprise at all.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter fired the starting gun for the race to host the 2018 World Cup on Monday - with England regarded as one of the front-runners.

Three of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team are up against Live Aid and Billy the White Horse in a poll to decide the name of a state-of-the-art footbridge at the new Wembley stadium - but Roy Keane has not made the shortlist.