BOLTON chairman Phil Gartside has claimed he has received a fax from Rivaldo stating the Brazilian legend wants to complete a move to the Reebok Stadium.

THE upcoming Rugby World Cup brings to mind the Fields of Athenry reverberating around Lansdowne. Written, of course, by that master songwriter Pete St John, who I last saw in Dublin protesting against the proposed motorway through Tara.

THE president of top German soccer club TSV 1860 Munich was detained yesterday on suspicion of taking a bribe in connection with the construction of the city’s new stadium, state prosecutors in Bavaria said.

WANT-AWAY Wolves striker Henri Camara could find himself barred from international football should he fail to return to Molineux for pre-season training.

TERRY VENABLES is set to return Down Under after signing a one-year deal to coach Newcastle in the new Australian Premier League.

A DISPUTE over TV rights left Israeli soccer fans frantically trying to glean information on Saturday’s World Cup qualifier with France in Paris as they were barred from watching their national team earn a goalless draw.

CHELSEA defender Robert Huth has been included in Germany’s squad for the 2006 World Cup hosts’ December tour of south-east Asia.

ASTON VILLA manager David O’Leary is set to play Juan Pablo Angel in Sunday’s derby at Birmingham despite fears the striker will still be jetlagged.

PIERLUIGI COLLINA’S continuation as a Serie A referee was confirmed yesterday when he was included on the officials list for next season.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger remains hopeful of keeping talismanic striker Thierry Henry at the London club next season.

SPAIN coach Luis Aragones has defended his decision to pick Chelsea left-back Asier Del Horno ahead of Getafe’s Mariano Pernia in his 27-man squad for the pre-World Cup get-together.

MARSEILLE president Pape Diouf claims Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is eager to join the French club.

ARGENTINA internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano insist they are not using West Ham as a way of earning a big-money move at the end of this season.

ROBERT HUTH has agreed a five-year deal with Middlesbrough and the Chelsea defender expects to sign it after the World Cup finals.

SHARES in Dublin closed in positive territory again as investors welcomed positive news flow from the US. The Irish Index finished up 35.65 points at 7,551.93.

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Gareth Southgate has admitted the club will not be signing Robert Huth.

Ireland have joined England, Wales and Scotland in the 2021 World Cup without playing a game.