Germany

The European Commission has said the results of a probe into how the Formula One championship and other big motor racing events are run was not expected before the end of the year.

Germany coach Erich Ribbeck wants the German first division reduced from 18 to 16 clubs to give the players more time for international duties.

Schalke 04 captain Olaf Thon has laid the foundation stone for a new stadium for the Gelsenkirchen club.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has promised his government would do all it could to support Germany's bid for the 2006 World Cup.

Germany has entered the race to stage the 2006 World Cup finals after they officially handed in their initial bid document to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Germany's ruling Social Democrats want to impose a levy on successful sports stars to help pay for grass-roots training and facilities, Bild am Sonntag newspaper quoted the head of parliament's sports committee as saying.

A crisis sparked by Graham Kelly's resignation as chief executive of the English Football Association will not ruin England's bid for the 2006 World Cup, the F.A.'s executive director has said.

England's chances of hosting the 2006 World Cup have not been damaged by the resignation of F.A. chief executive Graham Kelly, FIFA said on Wednesday.

Germany has added weight to its bid to stage the 2006 World Cup finals by naming Franz Beckenbauer as head of their application.

A formidable army of supporters lined up to back England's World Cup 2006 bid, are claiming that the resignation of F.A. chief executive Graham Kelly would not hurt the nation's chances.

The city of Frankfurt has agreed to renovate its soccer stadium and will bid to host World Cup matches if Germany gets the 2006 finals, a municipality official said on Friday.

Germany's bid chief Franz Beckenbauer believes the race to stage the 2006 World Cup finals is very close with Germany in with

Bobby Charlton and Franz Beckenbauer, famous Wembley foes 33 years ago, go into battle for more World Cup honours this week as the race to stage the tournament in 2006 intensifies.

A senior Brazilian soccer official warned that the game in his country could be plunged into crisis over plans for a Bosman-style law giving players freedom of movement when their contracts end.

Franz Beckenbauer has hinted South Africa was still leading the race to stage the 2006 World Cup finals despite mounting opposition from England and Germany.

The Salt Lake City Olympic bribery scandal could be on the verge of costing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) one its biggest sponsors, according to reports in Europe.

FIFA will lay down strict rules to countries bidding to host the 2006 World Cup finals to avoid the sort of scandal over bribery that has rocked the Olympic movement, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has announced.

Plans to cut the number of African countries bidding for the 2006 World Cup from five to just one strong candidate have been delayed, officials said on Tuesday.