Former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes has backed UEFA president Michel Platini in his criticism of the influence of money in the modern game.

Elton Flatley, who so nearly dashed England’s dreams in the World Cup final a year ago, has returned to the Australia side for their defence of the Cook Cup at Twickenham on Saturday.

Aaron Lennon signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal to stay at Tottenham and immediately set his sights on improving on his breakthrough season.

Police were hunting thieves today who broke into the home of Wayne Rooney’s parents and stole valuable football memorabilia belonging to the England star.

Bookmaker William Hill today said the amount of money left by unsuccessful punters in recent weeks had shown a slight fall on a year ago.

The biggest story in sport this week was not really a story about sport. At least, not on the surface.

There is no stage finer for a player with a point to prove than the World Cup, and Turkey’s Hakan Sukur will be eyeing the finals as an opportunity to establish himself in a principle role.

So where do we stand after the autumn interntionals, asks Donal Lenihan?

The Irish provincial video analysts will be busily plugging into footage of the French Top 14 ahead of this season’s European Champions Cup. All four representatives have been handed French assignments over the next three months - with Connacht getting a double helping.

AFTER the excitement of the Race to Dubai and Lee Westwood’s successes on Sunday, the attention switches to the World Cup of Golf which starts Thursday at the Mission Hills Golf Club in China.

THE ATTENDANCE at yesterday’s final Irish World Cup press conference said it all about the hugely favourable impression the management and players have made on the media.

The deepening row over Ireland’s bitter World Cup defeat to France after the “Henry handball” scandal risked turning into a diplomatic dispute tonight.

“Dad, I’m cheering for England in the World Cup!”

Conor Harte says today’s showdown with England is Ireland’s “World Cup final” with a draw or better required against the world number seven side.

Roy Hodgson thinks Luis Suarez has a lot to prove before he can be considered a truly world-class player.

The Ireland Sevens team began its charge towards the goal of qualification for the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens with a positive runner-up spot in the Denmark Sevens competition at the weekend.