Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to step up his summer recruitment drive after a deal was agreed with Barcelona for “fantastic” Chile international Alexis Sanchez.

Michael Owen believes England’s squad is stronger than his former club Real Madrid as he insisted Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side should fear no team in the world – including Brazil and Argentina.

FIFA was plunged into crisis on Wednesday morning after Swiss authorities made early-morning arrests of six football officials and opened separate criminal proceedings over the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has smashed the club’s transfer record in a £13m swoop for World Cup star Asamoah Gyan.

France coach Raymond Domenech has condemned the backlash against Thierry Henry following his part in the controversial goal which secured the country's World Cup qualification.

If last weekend’s Cork Regatta is a reliable barometer, the National Championships next month (July 14-16) will draw unprecedented entries to the National Rowing Centre at Farran, Cork.

Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson heads into his first game at the helm tomorrow confident his team have the ability to progress from the World Cup’s ’group of death’ next month.

Fernando Torres has insisted he wants to stay at Chelsea and win more trophies.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney urged his players not to be too despondent after they endured a frustrating Setanta Challenge Cup encounter with the USA in California on Sunday night.

Former Portugal forward Eusebio has died at the age of 71, his former club Benfica have confirmed.

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will undergo surgery for a trapped nerve in his shoulder next week and is expected to be ruled out for up to six months.

Ryder Cup wild card Ian Poulter will lead England’s challenge for the World Cup at Mission Hills in China at the end of November.

MUNSTER rugby star and former international Alan Quinlan was yesterday named as the 2010 Tipperary Person of the Year.

Lee Westwood will have the chance next week to reach a new high in the world.

Former Ireland great Gordon D’Arcy has backed Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

France united in sorrow and wounded pride today after its team lost the World Cup final to Italy, with fans thronging Paris’ Champs-Elysees and spilling into streets nationwide in a collective post-match consolation party.

The four-team tournament involving Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland has been branded the Carling Nations Cup, organisers announced today.