Luiz Felipe Scolari admits Chelsea “gambled” by making him their new manager, but insists he will strive to repay the club by bringing world-class football to Stamford Bridge.

RATOMIR Dujkovic accused Slovakian referee Michel Lubos of bias as Ghana’s World Cup adventure came to an end.

Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc today blasted his former France team-mates as ‘‘just not good enough’’ after the defending champions crashed out of the World Cup without even scoring a goal.

Sven-Goran Eriksson brought Nicky Butt into the England side to face Argentina as he opted for a safety-first strategy amid an intensifying World Cup qualification struggle.

Goalkeepers are often the butt of jokes and the subject of fan fury but in this World Cup final they came into their own, finally taking back some of the spotlight from the strikers.

Samir Nasri has made a decision about his international future and dropped a strong hint that he has played his last game for France.

Michael Carrick, Andy Carroll and Kyle Walker have been left out of the 23-man England World Cup squad named by Roy Hodgson for Brazil on Monday afternoon.

Ireland qualified for the 2015 World Cup following a dramatic tie against Holland in Amstelveen.

Ireland head coach Schmidt has gained great success through pragmatism, but his assistant Les Kiss believes the World Cup will not be won in safety-first mode.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has insisted that the 2018 World Cup will go ahead in his country, despite the launch of an investigation into alleged corruption during the bidding process.

“One of my main roles as an out-half is to bring other players into the game, and I did my best to do that."

Franz Beckenbauer has hit back at suggestions by FIFA president Sepp Blatter that there was irregularity in the decision to award the 2006 World Cup to Germany.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney and his backroom team have agreed contract extensions through to the end of the 2012-13 season.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has revealed that at least two goal-line technology systems have proved themselves fast and accurate and could be in place for the 2012-13 season.

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has completely recovered from the ankle problem which hampered his first season at Anfield, according to the club’s new medical chief.

Liverpool will have to wait until later this week to discover the full extent of the groin injury sustained by striker Fernando Torres in yesterday’s World Cup final victory.

FIFA should re-examine Qatar’s victory in the vote for the 2022 World Cup, according to the head of German football.

Richard Dunne insists he is ready to put the Republic of Ireland’s controversial World Cup exit behind him.

OUTGOING captain Fabio Cannavaro insists changes are needed in Italian football or the team could face a lengthy wait before regaining the World Cup.

FOR one fleeting moment FAI chief executive John Delaney must have felt his dreams had been come true.