It is their first time missing a major tournament since the World Cup in 2002 and football fans were equal parts stunned and amused.

It looks like it’s going to be one helluva party.

Irish rugby fullback Simon Zebo has been granted temporary release from the Irish squad on compassionate leave after his grandfather John Geary passed away at Cork University Hospital yesterday.

Fair play to everyone who got stuck in with a war dance of their own.

Fernando Torres has been dropped from the Spain squad for next week’s friendly against Venezuela.

Mexico international Efrain Juarez is set to leave Celtic this summer, manager Neil Lennon has said.

Jonah Lomu has been admitted to Auckland Hospital but is reported to be in a stable condition.

Javier Aguirre has had his contract as first-team coach of Real Zaragoza terminated, the Primera Division club confirmed this morning.

Porto have signed Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro on a five-year contract from Santos, the Portuguese champions have announced.

Arsenal’s highly-rated young Brazilian forward Wellington has rejoined Levante on a season-long loan deal, the Barclays Premier League club have confirmed on their website.

Italian Rugby Federation president Giancarlo Dondi has announced Jacques Brunel will soon be confirmed as the new coach of the national team.

West Brom have become the latest Barclays Premier League to ban vuvuzelas from all matches at The Hawthorns next season.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is facing a three-week spell on the sidelines after surgery on a groin injury.

Retailer Sports Direct International cheered more than 2,000 staff today as it said annual earnings of £160.4m (€191m) were enough to trigger the first stage of its bonus scheme.

Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has signed a contract extension to remain at the European and Italian champions until 2015.

Michael Dawson was today ruled out of action for up to eight weeks after spraining left knee ligaments and a left ankle ligament during his full England debut.

Philipp Lahm wants to commit his long-term future to Bayern Munich.

A UK firm was today unveiled as the exclusive power supplier for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games after securing a £37m (€44m) contract.

Italian side Palermo have expressed an interest in Celtic striker Georgios Samaras.

Blackburn have signed Turkey international Yildiray Basturk on loan from German club Stuttgart until the end of the season.