Middle East

Hungary has denied its place on the Formula One calendar is at risk as motorsport chiefs look to make way for China and Bahrain.

Shares in Formula One marketing firm the Podia Group have been voluntary suspended on London's Alternative Investment Market and its finance director suspended, as it initiates a probe into its licensing and merchandising division.

Bahrain is set to join China as a new venue for Formula One in 2004 after it was confirmed it has joined forces with Malaysia to build a new motorsport circuit.

Formula One is to confirm this week it will be heading to China - at least according to the company building a major new circuit in Shanghai.

The FIFA Statutes Revision Committee will meet for the first time in Zurich on November 3-4.

The continuing crisis in English soccer’s Football League is set to get worse, according to the chairman of London team Crystal Palace, who has called for soccer administrators to introduce a salary cap scheme.

Michael Jordan, the man who took sport endorsement deals to a new level, has confirmed he will still play with NBA team the Washington Wizards next season.

The man who revolutionised sport endorsement deals, Michael Jordan, looks set to continue his return to the NBA, despite a knee injury which saw him miss 22 games.

English Premier League soccer club Tottenham Hotspur has turned down an approach by the Israeli Football Association to host its home qualifying matches for Euro 2004.

The San Marino Grand Prix could be replaced by one in Bahrain in time for the 2004 Formula One season, according to reports this week.

Bahrain is reportedly in line to host a Formula One race from the 2004 season but Moscow has been dropped as a potential venue, according to reports.

There are new fears this month's Ryder Cup could be postponed again, after US captain Curtis Strange (pictured) hinted a worsening international political situation could see the event called off.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed that Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates will host its team's cricket series against Pakistan next month.

Chess is set to be flung into the limelight once again after the dates were confirmed for the match between world champion Vladimir Kramnik and Deep Fitz - the world's most powerful chess computer.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has demanded that all players competing in next month's ICC Champions Trophy sign their players' terms contracts ahead of its executive board meeting in Dubai on Saturday.

Golfer Tiger Woods has been named the biggest and most-influential celebrity endorser, according to a leading black US business magazine.