THE public became familiar with “metatarsal” bones after English soccer star David Beckham fractured one of his in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Competitive skiers work and train incredibly hard knowing that just one mistake could spell the end of their race. Now they have to account for drones falling from the sky too!

Pubs and brewing group Greene King today toasted buoyant beer sales as the firm said it was on track to meet full-year profits targets.

Etihad Airways has announced plans to increase its services between Dublin Airport and Abu Dhabi.

Last weekend, the country was excited and animated by the resumption of the GAA championships.

Mario Balotelli is taking care of some personal business before the World Cup starts.

Miroslav Klose has moved level with Ronaldo as the World Cup’s top goalscorer of all-time — a record the Germany striker now wants all for himself.

Already there is a whiff of sulphur in the air, a frisson of excitement following the news that Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane are expected to be named tomorrow by the FAI as managers of Ireland’s soccer team.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho maintains it took him only 20 minutes to convince Cesc Fabregas to sign from Barcelona — and claims the former Arsenal captain never wanted to move back to his old club.