Africa

Nearly 400,000 spectators have attended Cricket World Cup matches at the end of the first group phase of this year's tournament.

The bidding process for the 2010 FIFA World Cup has taken its latest procedural step forward after soccer’s governing body sent the ‘list of requirements’ to the six African candidates.

Betting at the Cricket World Cup is on course to exceed the £1billion mark - a record level for such activity at the tournament.

Headed up by the soccer governing body's president Sepp Blatter, a series of FIFA committee meetings kicks off next week with a status report on preparations for the 2006 World Cup in Germany and the potential for a FIFA Club World Championship in 2005 among the issues on the agenda.

Australia's Nine Network, with whom banned cricketer Shane Warne has a commentating contract, has confirmed that the player will not be returning to the World Cup in South Africa in a broadcasting capacity.

New Zealand's decision to refuse to play its Cricket World Cup match in Kenya has resulted in the ICC demanding it forfeit four points after it refused to rearrange the fixture.

A business consortium from South Africa is reported to have expressed an interest in buying English rugby union side Gloucester.

The political row that has cast a shadow over the Cricket World Cup continues as the International Cricket Council Executive Board meets today to discuss New Zealand's application for the relocation of its match against Kenya.

World cricket governing body the ICC has reacted with anger over what it claims is 'ambush marketing' of the Indian cricket team by electrical giant Samsung.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is facing another deadline today in its ongoing row over the England team's Cricket World Cup game against Zimbabwe.

The International Cricket Council's desire to stamp out ambush marketing at the Cricket World Cup has again been shown after a spectator was evicted from a stadium for opening a can of Coca-Cola.

Europe's future as the main host of Formula One Grand Prix is set to come under threat, Max Mosley, the president of the FIA has warned.

World Cup executive director Dr Ali Bacher (pictured) has stated that England's controversial Cricket World Cup match against Zimbabwe will not take place in Harare on Thursday, February 13.

English cricket chiefs seem set to finally confirm later today whether its team will play its Cricket World Cup match in Zimbabwe - just 48 hours before the game is due to get underway.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) stating that the England team will not play its scheduled match in Zimbabwe.

The IOC has appointed a new director of its international co-operation and development department.