Brazil

Movie star Hugh Grant and former England star Gary Lineker were among the star names at a special send-off to the FIFA team inspecting England's chances of hosting the 2006 World Cup.

Libya is supporting Morocco in its efforts to stage the 2006 World Cup finals, according to reports from a local news agency.

Over 200,000 fake merchandising items were seized by French authorities before the World Cup and thousands were still on sale around the stadiums during Wednesday's first two matches, a government official said on Thursday.

Former Brazil coach Mario Zagallo will appear in court next month to explain why he played Ronaldo in the World Cup Final.

World champions France will not take part in FIFA's controversial Confederations Cup in Mexico next year if the dates are unsuitable.

Egypt has confirmed it is out of the race to host soccer's World Cup in 2006, leaving six nations competing to stage the finals.

The English Football Association has offered leading club Manchester United an unprecedented opportunity to ease its fixture schedule - in a move aimed at enhancing the countries claims to hosting the 2006 World Cup.

Fox Sports World Espanol, the only U.S Spanish-language sports cable network, have recorded a ratings success with last month's Copa America.

Coca-Cola has signed Brazil?s legendary soccer superstar Pele in a two-year, $100million (?112.9)?plus advertising deal.
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Television scheduling for coverage of Brazil?s domestic soccer leagues has been thrown into chaos following the national government?s announcement that no matches in certain regions of the country could be played after 6pm due to an electricity shortage crisis.

Australian Swimming has launched a plan to lift the sport?s everyday profile.

Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso is ready to give Pele a new government post, local newspapers reported on Saturday.

Former Brazil coach Mario Zagallo has appeared before a Congressional commission and denied that sportswear giants and national team sponsors Nike had interfered in the picking of the team when he was in charge.

Gustavo Kuerten will compete in the Sydney Olympics after a deal between sponsors and the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) ended a spat about what he should wear at the Games.

Soccer?s world club champions Corinthians of Brazil, are to play a pre-season friendly in Paris to be screened live across Latin America by the Pan American Sports network.

England's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup finals appears to have been dealt a fatal blow by the violent behaviour of the hooligans who caused mayhem over the weekend in Belgium, according to senior FIFA figures.