Asia

Sports promoters IEC are adamant France will fulfil their obligation to play Australia in a friendly soccer match in Melbourne despite speculation some stars may stay in Europe because of fear of terrorism.

VIP ticket deals for next year's World Cup in South Korea and Japan went on sale this week with up to 21 different packages on offer.

The manhood of Australia's world champion rugby league players has been questioned by fans after the Kangaroos pulled out of a tour of Britain because of security fears over the military strikes against Afghanistan.

Potential All Black players have been given until next week to advise whether they are available to tour Ireland, Scotland and Argentina because of security fears stemming from the US-led military strikes on Afghanistan.

European soccer's governing body, UEFA, has five million Swiss francs ($3.08 million) available to compensate clubs who lost money as a result of their Champions League matches being postponed after the September 11 attacks in the United States, chief executive Gerhard Aigner said.

World Wrestling Federation Entertainment has signed a series of agreements delivering more than 2,200 hours of WWFE programming across three continents.

A senior Japanese figure has blasted FIFA over expected profits generated by the 2002 World Cup Japan is co-hosting with South Korea.

The Australian rugby union tour of Europe will go ahead.

Rugby League’s Ashes series between Great Britain and Australia has been called off following the US strikes against Afghanistan after Australian rugby chiefs failed to convince the tour party it was safe.

The governing body of women's tennis (WTA) is increasing security at its tournaments after the US air strikes on Afghanistan.

South Korea's top police officer vowed on Tuesday to keep terrorists and soccer hooligans away from the 2002 World Cup and said American and other missions were receiving extra protection amid US-led attacks on Afghanistan.

Argentina's River Plate soccer club has decided it is too dangerous to play Wednesday's friendly in the United States against Mexico's Chivas de Guadalajara.

Australian rugby union players fearing for their safety won't be forced to go on the forthcoming tour of Europe, the head of the ARU said.

Cricket chiefs have insisted England's cricket tour of India will still go ahead - despite the US attacks on Afghanistan.

The inaugural LPGA Sports Today Classic has been cancelled because of the military action in Afghanistan.

Formula One's governing body has rejected speculation that Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix was in doubt after the air strikes on Afghanistan.