Richard Hills, retained jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, is to retire from the saddle on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on March 31.

Geordan Murphy will make a final decision on his Ireland future before next year’s RBS 6 Nations, but expects to announce his retirement.

Portugal have asked FIFA to overturn Cristiano Ronaldo’s booking against Ivory Coast.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan insists that he wants to retain the services of Robert Green despite the keeper’s World Cup howler.

The linesman at the centre of England’s disallowed goal storm has admitted he was caught out by the speed of Frank Lampard’s shot.

Arjen Robben is fit enough to play against Denmark in Holland's World Cup opener, according to the physiotherapist treating him.

Wigan have agreed terms to sign Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz from Bruges, the club have confirmed on their website.

France coach Raymond Domenech has called on his players to pull together after Lassana Diarra was ruled out of the World Cup with a stomach complaint.

Richard Dunne bears no ill will towards Thierry Henry after his infamous handball in France’s World Cup qualifier play-off against the Republic of Ireland.

The Football Association are hopeful that the worst-case scenario of England being forced to play tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra behind closed doors at Wembley will not become reality.

Fabio Capello is confident he will not have a problem with Wayne Rooney’s temperament while he is England manager.

Liam Lawrence has been handed a World Cup debut as the Republic of Ireland attempt to keep their qualification dream alive against reigning champions Italy tonight.

England skipper John Terry has warned his team-mates not to underestimate Andriy Shevchenko this week as the Ukraine striker will be hungry to prove people wrong.

Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher has vowed never to resort to simulation to win a match – even if it could mean the difference between qualifying for the World Cup and not.

Francesco Totti is considering performing a U-turn and making himself available to the Italy national team again.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is a doubt for Germany’s opening two World Cup qualifiers as he is still struggling with a foot injury.

Cameron Hanley notched up Ireland's first international show jumping win of 2008 when he took first place in the opening competition at the World Cup show in Leipzig, Germany today.

Chelsea forward Nicolas Anelka is a doubt for France’s World Cup qualifying match with Romania on Saturday due to muscular problems.