Russia has been handed a four-year ban from major international sporting events after being found guilty of manipulating laboratory doping data.

THEY say hard men don’t cry. Don’t believe a bit of it.

A MOMENTOUS peace deal was yesterday agreed between FIFA, UEFA and the European clubs that will lead to the G14 organisation disbanding and clubs being paid for their players appearing in the World Cup or European Championships.

Ireland have lost 6-0 to Holland in the final of the women's Hockey World Cup.

Niall Quinn believes ‘‘a few sparks might fly’’ in his benefit match tonight - but not to the extent the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup hopes will be damaged.

Bacary Sagna will be leaving Arsenal “for sure”, the defenders has told reporters in France.

Tottenham have agreed a €20m deal to sign midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians, according to the Brazilian club.

Louis Saha appeared in his first FA Cup final in five attempts as Everton bid for their first trophy for 14 years in their clash with Chelsea at Wembley.

NO more play-offs, smaller groups and a two-phase qualifying competition are among the major changes to the 2016 European Championship being proposed by Michel Platini.

SUNDERLAND striker Stephen Elliott is gunning for Arsenal tonight after grabbing his third goal in four games.

Iraq FA president Hussein Saeed has confirmed that talks have taken place with coach Jorvan Vieira with regards to the Brazilian continuing at the helm of the national team.

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is aware his Middlesbrough counterpart Steve McClaren has an extra incentive to lead the Teessiders to UEFA Cup glory tomorrow night.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is out of tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup clash with AZ Alkmaar in Holland after failing to recover from a shoulder injury.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier embarked on the club’s UEFA Cup campaign feeling able to rest senior stars who had slight injuries, with vital league games against Charlton and Arsenal coming up.

In the continuing saga of the Ryder Cup eligibility controversy, Jesper Parnevik has rejoined the European Tour and can now win a fourth cap in Detroit this September.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has offered Croatian international star Milan Rapaic the chance to win a dream move to Parkhead after inviting him to train with them this week.

Didier Deschamps last night agreed to take on one of the toughest tasks in internatinoal football after he agreed to become the new France coach.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is backing rugby league convert Brian Carney to rise to the challenge of breaking into the Test team.