France

The European Triathlon Union (ETU) says it is prepared to take legal action to recover the debts owed by the eight national triathlon federations, which last week announced the unsanctioned formation of the breakaway Triathlon Council for Europe.

Representatives of around 70 leading European rugby clubs met in Lyon yesterday to create a new organisation to promote their interests.

Twelve major clubs from six of Europe's smaller nations have met with UEFA, to voice their concerns about the growing gap between soccer's rich and poor and discuss proposals for a new "Euro League".

Eleven doping control laboratories were shown the "yellow card" by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for failing to comply with guidelines.

Eleven clubs from five of Europe's smaller nations attacked the growing gap between soccer's rich and poor on the continent and said they would unveil concrete proposals for a "Euroleague" early next year.

Battery manufacturer Energizer has signed a deal to become the title sponsor of the inaugural European CrossCup.

Soccer's world governing body FIFA said on Sunday it was open to the idea of sponsors names on national team shirts but insisted they would not be allowed at the 2002 World Cup. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the association's executive had discussed the idea at an end-of-year meeting in Rome but wanted to examine it further before making a decision.

The English Football Association (FA) announced on Friday that its plans to redevelop Wembley stadium were going back to the drawing board.

The English Football Association (FA) has conducted an emergency meeting today to discuss the troubled Wembley rebuilding project.

The European Triathlon Union (ETU) has announced it is to hold an extraordinary congress immediately to discuss the threatened split from the organisation by eight member nations.

Eight countries - including France, Spain and Britain - are forming a breakaway European governing body for triathlon, the sport which made its Olympic debut at the Sydney Games.

Nigeria pledged on Thursday that the building of facilities will be completed in time to host the All-Africa Games in 2003.

Paris will stage the best Olympics ever if it wins the right to hold them in 2008, the bid organisers said in an official statement.

Double Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has issued a stinging retort to recent allegations that his US Postal team have been using illegal drugs.

Paris officials have abandoned plans to hold the gymnastics in the historic Grand Palais if they win their bid to host the 2008 Olympics.

China's capital Beijing has spent billions of dollars this year widening and extending roads to pave the way for its bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, the Xinhua news agency has reported.