UK firm Cineworld said it expected a "promising" line-up of 3D films will draw back cinemagoers after the World Cup caused a slump in revenues growth today.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack faces a six-week injury lay-off after picking up a micro-fracture in his left shin yesterday.

eircom has announced its decision to end its sponsorship of the Irish soccer team from today.

Werder Bremen director of sport Klaus Allofs has confirmed Mesut Ozil could be leaving the club this summer.

Lincoln winner Sweet Lightning is to have the Godolphin Mile at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night next year as his prime objective.

Cheryl Cole is planning to “divorce with dignity”.

Everton striker Louis Saha would love to be part of France’s World Cup squad in South Africa.

Giovanni Trapattoni has dismissed reports he will be appointed as Turkey’s new coach later this week.

Franck Ribery was France’s hero for the second time in five days against Lithuania, his second-half winner in Paris tonight lifting Les Bleus into second place in World Cup qualifying Group Seven.

The Ireland U20s rounded off the Pool stage of the Junior World Cup with a resounding 45-0 win over Uruguay in Nagoya today.

England captain Phil Vickery has hit out at the criticism levelled at head coach Brian Ashton.

England were today awaiting a verdict on Rio Ferdinand’s fitness ahead of the World Cup qualifier with Croatia in Zagreb.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has kept faith in Ryan McGivern for the World Cup qualifiers next month.

A Premier League winner’s medal presented to former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho sold for £21,600 (€25,767) at auction today.

Detectives from Japan and Korea are travelling to England to watch football matches in a bid to prepare themselves for soccer thugs at next year’s World Cup finals, it emerged today.

Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen has been included in Denmark’s squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Bulgaria despite being injured in the club’s first home game of the season.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson expects Steven Gerrard to be fit for the World Cup qualifier with Finland.

MIKE TINDALL was last night reinstated in England’s elite player squad and had a £25,000 fine reduced to £15,000 after an appeal against the punishment meted out for his off-field World Cup behaviour.