Latin America

Sportswear giants Nike denied before a Congressional commission of inquiry on Wednesday that they interfere in the picking of the Brazilian national soccer team, which they sponsor.

The troubled Millennium Cup soccer tournament has suffered a fresh setback with officials canceling a third-place playoff to cut losses.

An international tournament in India which promised to boast major players has been branded "a farce" after two teams withdrew, one was ruled ineligible and another failed to play because the team's baggage was delayed.

New Zealand has pulled out of an international soccer tournament scheduled for India in January, saying it had had difficulty confirming travel and competition details with organisers.

Brazilians have hit out at Sepp Blatter after the FIFA president threatened in a magazine interview to kick the country out of the 2002 World Cup.

India will host a 16-nation soccer tournament from January 10 to 25 next year, the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has said.

The disappointing ratings for Olympic coverage on NBC in the US have been offset by more encouraging figures around the world.

AC Milan and Lazio want restrictions on foreign players in Italian soccer lifted with Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani even threatening court action to end the current regulations.

India will host an international soccer tournament next January.

Real Madrid presidential candidate Florentino Perez was quoted as saying on Friday the Spanish club was 42,910 million pesetas ($247.2 million) in debt.

Chilean soccer players went on strike on the first weekend of the new season in sympathy with the playing staff of a second division club who claim they are owed $260,000 in unpaid wages.

Chile soccer club Colo Colo has lent its name and support to a new long distance telephone service.

Fogdog Sports has acquired Sports Universe, the action sports e-tailer, providing Fogdog with a new action sports specialty store on the Internet.

FIFA and Brazilian television and marketing agency Traffic International have signed a contract guaranteeing soccer's world governing body at least 60 million Swiss Francs ($39.71 million) in broadcasting rights for the first World Club Championship.

Former Germany striker Rudi Voeller has been appointed ambassador of the German bid to host soccer's 2006 World Cup.

Former FIFA president Joao Havelange has urged Brazil to pull out of the race to host the 2006 event.