Egypt

Sepp Blatter launched his campaign to be re-elected as FIFA president with a promise to Africa that the continent would definitely stage the World Cup finals in 2010.
Events

South Africa are one of four countries who have applied to host the African Nations Cup finals in 2006, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said.

The PFA seek a settlement with the UK Football Leagues to avoid strike action, the Third Football Market takes place in Moscow, the IOC Coordination Commission meet in Athens and the UIPM - Modern Pentathlon Union Congress gathers in Cairo.
Business

Africa is considering a bid for the 2010 World Cup in which the tournament would be hosted by two countries, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said.

South Africa are to bid to stage soccer’s 2006 African Nations Cup finals.
Business

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned for a year all African club soccer at the national soccer stadium in Dar-es-Salaam after a stabbing incident in a match there in May.

The Extreme Sports Channel has extended its coverage beyond Europe after it signed a deal with pay-TV platform Showtime in the Middle East and Africa.

Turkey wants to build a Formula One circuit in Istanbul within three years, the head of the Turkish Automobile Federation said on Thursday.

China has set up a 76-member committee to organise Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Business

A senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official has said he expected the Games to be held in Africa in the next 10 years.

Cameroon's Issa Hayatou is expected to remain president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Thursday's election at the congress in Accra.

Formula One needs an African Grand Prix but the calendar must not be enlarged beyond 17 races, team owner Eddie Jordan said.
Business

Outbreaks of hooliganism by English and German fans in France should not affect those nations' bids to stage the 2006 World Cup finals, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said.

Washington and Baltimore are to announce an unprecedented joint bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, according to the Washington Post.

Ethiopia have withdrawn from the African Nations Cup qualifiers rather than play against neighbours Eritrea, the Confederation of African Football confirmed on Wednesday.
Media

Europe's leading soccer leagues have taken on world governing body FIFA about releasing players for the controversial Confederations' Cup in January.

Business

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said that he expected England to present a strong, professional bid to host the 2006 World Cup finals - although Africa was still the logical choice to stage the tournament.

FIFA are looking into the possibility of rescheduling the Confederations Cup from January to August 1999 after world champions France withdrew last month.