Iran

Africa?s hopes of staging the 2010 World Cup were dashed after more than 130 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede at a soccer game in Ghana's capital, Accra, in Africa's worst soccer tragedy.

More than a dozen countries have declared an interest in hosting either of the next two editions of the World Club Championship, FIFA said on Thursday.

An investigation has been launched into a stadium disaster in Iran which left more than 250 people injured.

Australia's Victorian Major Events is reported to have offered a $1.2 million (US$600,000) "sweetener" to ensure that if Australia's soccer team makes it to the final phase of the World Cup qualifying campaign, the decisive match will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

North and South Korea may march together under the Olympic flag at the Sydney Olympics, and that could lead to powerful joint teams in international sporting arenas.

A delegation of the Kuala Lumpur 2006 Asian Games bidding committee has arrived in Iran for a three-day campaigning visit.

Foreign security forces accompanying athletes to the Sydney Olympics will not be allowed to carry guns to protect their delegations, according to Australian attorney-general Daryl Williams.

Iran has barred a visit by a U.S. soccer team for friendly matches on the free trade island of Kish later this month, a Kish official said on Tuesday.

The Thailand Football Association has written to FIFA to request a change of venue for their Asian World Cup qualifying match scheduled for Baghdad on Friday, a Thai official said on Tuesday.