Premier League chairman Dave Richards had a day to forget at a football conference in Qatar yesterday when his remarks causing consternation at the start — and he ended it by falling face first into a fountain pool.

NOBODY and nothing has been immune to the soccer question for the past few weeks. Irrespective of whether the issue was religion, sex, economics, culture, politics, the question was asked: Who do you support?

Ireland’s World Cup adventure may have ended with defeat to France in the quarter-finals, but Eddie O’Sullivan is already turning his mind to the future.

The morning after Ireland had been dismantled by a stunning French performance in the World Cup quarter-final, newly-retired captain Keith Wood found life a bit confusing.

Leeds are locked in talks with the Australian Soccer Association in the hope striker Mark Viduka will not be banned from Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash at Manchester United.

Matt Holland admitted he and his Republic of Ireland team-mates could not wait to put the Roy Keane affair behind them and launch their World Cup campaign.

Conor O’Shea has ruled himself out of becoming the new Munster CEO, insisting his focus is on getting Italy ready for the World Cup in Japan.

LIAM BRADY says the FAI need not look beyond Marco Tardelli when Giovanni Trapattoni’s spell in charge of the Republic of Ireland comes to an end.

The Rugby World Cup has not yet reached the midway point of the pool stage but squads are already being stretched by injuries. Simon Lewis

Ireland skipper Niamh Briggs has told her team-mates to embrace their ‘once in a generation’ chance to win a World Cup on home soil.

The journey is supposed to end at Twickenham in the World Cup Final on October 31, but it begins in earnest at Musgrave Park.

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has dropped Brent Cockbain from his World Cup plans - and given a surprise call-up to uncapped Gloucester lock Will James.

Republic of Ireland winger Steven Reid has revealed his sympathy for under-pressure manager Brian Kerr but insists the players need no extra motivation to qualify for the World Cup.

Neil Back has been handed a potential international lifeline by the man who dropped him, England boss Clive Woodward.

SO, finally, the great adventure is about to start for Ireland and in exceptional circumstances. Before Ireland play Cameroon at Niigata tomorrow they will share in a special ceremony to inaugurate the World Cup finals tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo has already set his sights on being named the best player in the world again next year

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has blamed former chief executive Peter Kenyon for the club’s failure to sign Ronaldinho.