Africa

When the Super 12 rugby union competition kicks off this weekend, tensions on the pitch between the southern hemisphere teams will be nothing in comparison to continued tensions off it as Australia, South Africa and New Zealand continue to argue over possible expansion.

Rome has made a formal bid to host the World Athletics Championships in 2005, the third-biggest sporting event in the world, Italy's Athletics Federation FIDAL has confirmed.

Australia's Glenn McGrath, who has a Test batting average of seven, is expected to sign a bat sponsorship deal ahead of the first Test against South Africa in Johannesburg which starts on Friday.

The Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis fight could be set for Atlanta in June after Tyson was granted a licence to fight.

O'Neill moving media, the European distributor of revolving perimeter advertising boards, has signed an exclusive agreement with Italtelo to distribute the Italian manufacturer's LED systems worldwide.

UK free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV have unveiled their World Cup schedule, for which the two networks hold the TV rights, with the BBC taking live coverage of two of England's three opening round matches.

Lennox Lewis could defend his world heavyweight crown against Mike Tyson at the Bernabeu, the home of Real Madrid.

South Korea's sole sports lottery operator gave internet-savvy Koreans their first chance to bet on soccer online today and it expects growing interest as the World Cup finals approach.

Boxing's long-awaited showdown between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis could take place in Detroit, after suggestions Tyson would win a licence to box if he applied.

Organisers of the FIFA World Cup finals have invited football fans to find a name for the new Seoul stadium which will stage the curtain-raiser between champions France and Senegal.

The International Olympic Committee has elected James L Easton as the new vice-president of its organisations.

Showtime, the US pay-per-view network which represents Mike Tyson, says his opponent Lennox Lewis 'does not know what to do' about a future bout.

African Football Confederation chief Issa Hayatou is likely to challenge FIFA president Sepp Blatter in this summer's election for the leadership of FIFA.

Foreign exchange firm Travelex has become the official sponsor of the Australian cricket team for all overseas tours.

Moscow's bid to host the 2005 World Athletics Championships has an excellent chance of success, the head of Russian athletics said.

African soccer chief Issa Hayatou has called for a ban on the use of tear gas in the country's stadia after stampedes last year led to almost 200 deaths in football disasters.