Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney has urged FIFA to uphold their own principles and “step up to the plate” by agreeing to replay last night’s controversial World Cup play-off defeat by France.

Emmanuel Petit has condemned apathy in France towards Thierry Henry and the manner in which he was vilified after his handball in the 2010 World Cup play-off against Ireland.

French flanker Olivier Magne warned England that past form and world rankings will count for nothing when the two sides collide in Sunday’s World Cup semi-final.

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov insists he is comfortable with the level of scrutiny being directed at the World Cup hosts.

THE World Cup-winning South Africa rugby team have arrived back in the country to a rapturous welcome at the OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg.

FORMER Springbok John Allan has urged South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach Jake White to stay in his role and create history.

THE 2006 World Cup opened with a feast of goals yesterday, as hosts Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 in the curtain-raiser in Munich.

Discarded England striker Darren Bent admits he has been left shattered by missing out on the World Cup.

One of the companies tasked with putting the infrastructure in place for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has put out a call for Irish engineers willing to travel to the Middle Eastern country to work on the project.

France and Italy cross swords once again on Wednesday in a re-match of the World Cup final with the hosts playing down talk of a revenge mission.

Germany 0 Brazil 0

A new race row threatens to overshadow the Springboks’ biggest game in four years after South African Rugby Union boss Mvuleli Ncula today voiced concerns that the side selected to take on the All Blacks is too white.

The game's global governing body appears to have settled on a compromise date aimed at appeasing all parties ahead of the crucial World Cup draw.

Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid leader has highlighted London’s “high crime rate” and youth alcohol problems in an interview which appears to contravene FIFA’s bidding rules prohibiting comments about rival bidders.

The man who guided South Africa to World Cup glory believes Ireland are ready to lift the Webb Ellis Cup this time round.

The Welsh Rugby Union insists the four regions cannot demand extra compensation for releasing players to the World Cup – because they have already been paid it.

The Irish rowing team embark on the second outing of their international season tomorrow when they take to the water in the second of the three leg Rowing World Cup Series at the Bosbaan regatta course in Amsterdam.