Portugal

World and European soccer champions France have launched a publicity campaign aimed at keeping the French public interested in the team.

European soccer's ruling body UEFA has "major concerns" over proposals by a number of clubs to abandon their national championships and set up their own league together.

The Russian Football Union is asking the government to bankroll its bid to host the European soccer championship in 2008.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said he is confident of getting the Bosman Rule changed, possibly by the end of this year.

The Estoril Open golf tournament, scheduled for October 11-14, has been cancelled by its promoters, the European Tour said on Wednesday.

Denis O’Brien, the millionaire Irish businessman, has raised his offer to buy PGA European Tour Courses PLC, a golf course operator, by three million pounds to £35m ($51m/B

Sportsetail, the merchandising business owned as a joint venture by the UK’s Hay & Robertson and BSkyB, has reached a European product and distribution agreement with FIFA for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.

Portugal may not be able to host soccer’s European Championships in 2004 unless it begins building three stadiums by the autumn, according to a report.

HOK Sport has been appointed as architect for the new Benfica Stadium in Portugal.

The Argentine domestic season will finally get under way at the weekend two weeks later than planned after the second players' strike of the year delayed the start.

Alternative Investment Market (AIM)-listed sports player management and marketing agency Proactive Sports Group has reported a total of 36 player transfer deals in its football division since being admitted to AIM in May this year.

English soccer club Chelsea is in talks with Italian club Lazio about setting up a rival to the G14 group of top European clubs.