It was a dark day for Tayto crisps as the famed spud failed to get out of their group.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has accused the US of meddling in Fifa’s affairs and hinted that it was part of an attempt to take the 2018 World Cup away from his country.

Roque Santa Cruz has been ruled out of Paraguay’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay because of a knee injury.

Global referees’ chief Paddy O’Brien has heaped praise on Australian television match official Stuart Dickinson, insisting there is “no doubt” he was correct to disallow Mark Cueto’s try in the World Cup final.

Munster-bound New Zealand wing Doug Howlett has been reprimanded over his drunken antics in London following the All Blacks’ exit at the World Cup.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has insisted he will shake hands with Sunderland manager Roy Keane when the two clubs meet in a Coca-Cola Championship clash at Molineux on Friday evening.

New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen has returned home from the World Cup to be with his ill mother.

Rio Ferdinand has given a ringing endorsement of Michael Owen’s importance to England’s World Cup bid and is convinced the striker will eventually become his country’s record goalscorer.

Phil Taylor is targeting his third UK Open title as the ‘FA Cup of Darts’ gets underway at Bolton's Reebok Stadium this weekend.

Sven-Goran Eriksson today insisted Wayne Rooney is “injury free” and now just needs to obtain match fitness before he plays in the World Cup.

A man and a woman questioned about the murders of six men who were shot dead as they watched the 1994 World Cup in a pub were tonight released without charge.

A memorial service for murdered Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer will be held in South Africa today.

Ireland and Leinster captain Brian O'Driscoll has signed a new contract that will keep him in Ireland at least until the end of the Rugby World Cup in 2007, it was announced today.

German referee Markus Merk has explained how his self-imposed exile from refereeing has been ended following the intervention of a fan.

The Champions League draw for the first knockout round threw up some mouth-watering ties, with holders and World Club Cup winners AC Milan paired with Arsenal.

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will decide tomorrow lunchtime whether Steven Gerrard can play any part in the World Cup qualifier against Austria.

Sven-Goran Eriksson threw a three-pronged strikeforce into today’s World Cup qualifier against Wales at Old Trafford, with Wayne Rooney in behind Michael Owen and Jermain Defoe.

West Ham defender Malky Mackay has ruled himself out of the World Cup qualifying double header with Scotland.

Marcello Lippi will consider his Italy future over the coming days – but the indications are he will stay on after leading the Azzurri to World Cup glory.

Australia skipper George Gregan was relieved that the holders managed to get off to a winning start in the World Cup.