France

Russian soccer chiefs, tired of allegations about corruption in the game, have adopted tough measures to fight the problem.

Canada said it might submit a bid to host the 2010 World Cup as a way of sending a message to the world that it was serious about one day hosting the world's premier soccer tournament.

An Italian court has launched an investigation into alleged "sporting fraud" by cycling champion Marco Pantani, Italy's ANSA news agency reported on Wednesday. A court in the north Italian town of Trento had listed the former Tour de France winner as under investigation, ANSA said.

France's soccer team may still be world champions, but the country's accountants have issued a red card to the French state for lavishly funding the 1998 World Cup and a new space-age stadium at taxpayers' expense.

Sportal is to launch a dedicated wintersports section, produced in association with wintersports specialist ifyouski.com, to add to the channel line up on sportal.co.uk.

One of France's greatest players, Michel Platini has been elected as vice-president of the French Football Federation (FFF).

The five cities bidding to host the 2008 Summer Olympics have all submitted their official candidature files ahead of the deadline, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Wednesday.

The Euro 2000 Foundation closed its doors and its books yesterday with an 18 million euro ($17 million) profit to be channelled to youth football in the Netherlands and Belgium, the tournament's co-hosts.

A Toronto city councillor has warned that taxpayers may drown in debt if the city emerges as the host of 2008 Olympics.

Jan Zelezny, winner of three Olympic javelin gold medals and one of a dozen active athletes who are members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has warned against awarding the 2008 Games to Beijing.

A human rights group said Chinese police detained four dissidents on Monday for urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to use Beijing's bid for the 2008 Games to press China to free jailed democracy activists.

Brazilian soccer striker Alex returned to France on Monday morning to give evidence in the false passports scandal that has rocked the sport.

Clubs and league chiefs of FIBA?s European basketball competition, the SuproLeague are meeting in France later this month to discuss the progress of the new league.

Italian car giant Fiat, one of the main sponsors of the Tour de France, is reviewing its financial support because of the drug scandal that has damaged cycling?s premier race.

France's CSA broadcasting regulator has authorised the sports information radio station Sport O'FM to develop a multi-city national network.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is confident of reaching agreement over a new transfer system acceptable to the European Union, despite reports of a rift with UEFA.