Germany

The Irish government has said it hopes to draw European Union support in a push to persuade UEFA to call off Saturday's European championship qualifier between Ireland and Yugoslavia in Dublin.

A vice-president of world soccer governing body FIFA has blasted the decision to delay the vote on who will win the battle to host the 2006 World Cup.

International television rights company CSI Ltd has recently acquired the exclusive television rights for home matches of the English football clubs in the UEFA Cup and the European Pro Beach Soccer League.

Germany has a good chance of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games, according to newly-elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge.

Europe?s leading car-makers met last week in Rome to discuss plans to set up a motor racing competition to rival Formula One.

The Champions League faces a major overhaul because of concern over falling viewing figures.

The BBC is understood to have paid around #3m ($4.3m) for exclusive live TV and radio rights to England's World Cup soccer qualifier against Greece in June.

German media group Kirch said on Saturday it had received bank guarantees of around $1.5 billion that will enable it and debt-laden partner EM.TV & Merchandising to increase their stake in Formula One holding SLEC.

FIBA SuproLeague chiefs say they are open to resume talks with teams in the rival breakaway league in a bid to protect the credibility of top level European club basketball.

The European Triathlon Union (ETU) says it is prepared to take legal action to recover the debts owed by the eight national triathlon federations, which last week announced the unsanctioned formation of the breakaway Triathlon Council for Europe.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) has threatened to withdraw the 2005 World Championships from London over doubts concerning the proposed #95million stadium at Picketts Lock.

Barcelona FC bought up chunks of Wembley history in a memorabilia auction which raised more than #25,000 ($36,300), organisers said.

The red shirt worn by England soccer legend Sir Geoff Hurst when he scored a hat-trick during the 1966 World Cup final victory over Germany is expected to fetch up to #30,000 ($44,000) at auction.

Greek national players will get record bonuses if they qualify for the World Cup finals.

South African soccer officials have confirmed they were dropping their campaign to get FIFA to vote again on the venue for the 2006 World Cup finals.

Sports.com, the mobile and fixed internet provider of European sports content, community and commerce, has been designated as the Official Internet Sports Partner of The Open Championship (opengolf.com) by the Championship Committee of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

UK government sports minister Kate Hoey has blasted England?s failed attempt to host the 2006 World Cup, claiming it was a waste of money, and that it never stood a realistic chance of winning.

South Africa sighed with grief and hit out at European soccer powers on Thursday after losing out to rival Germany in its bid to host the 2006 World Cup.