England 2018 World Cup bid chief Andy Anson has ridiculed FIFA’s handling of this year’s corruption scandal and labelled president Sepp Blatter’s desire to enlist the help of opera star Placido Domingo as “laughable”.

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.

Australian prime minister John Howard today welcomed news the Pope is to visit Sydney for the World Youth Day celebrations in 2008, an event expected to draw thousands of overseas pilgrims to the city.

IRELAND’S Paul McGinley never wants golf’s World Cup to be held two weeks before Christmas again.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry will keep faith with the bulk of his Tri-Nations winning-squad when the World Cup favourites pursue glory in France this autumn.

Former Ballymena team mates Andy Maxwell and Ian Humphreys inspired Ireland to a place in tomorrow's Rugby World Cup Sevens Plate quarter-finals in Hong Kong.

JUST what did Marco Materazzi say to Zinedine Zidane in Sunday’s World Cup final?

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Colin Montgomerie fired a four-under-par 67 to take a two-shot lead from Tiger Woods and two other Americans at the Target World Challenge in California.

FIFA have taken steps to avert a potential cause of embarrassment in next year’s World Cup by launching a drive against animal cruelty in South Korea, who are co-hosting the finals with Japan.

North Korea coach Kim Jong-Hun praised his players after they overcame the searing conditions of Riyadh to earn the goalless draw against Saudi Arabia that booked their place in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1966.

Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady aims to maintain his World Cup “dream” by beating reigning champions Italy in Dublin tomorrow.

Waterford's Republic Of Ireland international star John O'Shea has been spending some time at his Ferrybank home with family and friends ahead of a fixture that will have a major bearing on our bid to qualify for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

A HEARTBROKEN Sylvain Marconnet has set his sights on lifting the World Cup in 2011 after seeing injury rob him of the opportunity to claim rugby’s biggest prize this autumn.