Paraguay

Organisers of England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup have shrugged off a report claiming South America had offered its backing to rival bidders South Africa.

Romanian national coach Anghel Iordanescu has accused the country's soccer authorities of endangering the country's World Cup chances by denying him funds, facilities and competitive warm-up matches.

South America's latest club soccer tournament, a made-for-television affair called the Mercosur Cup, was met with stunning indifference as it kicked off this week.

Brazil has said it would bid to stage the 2006 World Cup, and immediately received the backing of the South American Football Confederation (CSF).

Brazilian soccer's latest scandal has taken a new twist after a private meeting of the country's leading directors was secretly recorded and then broadcast by a radio station.

Argentine officials admitted on Thursday that they were pessimistic about the chances of a quick end to the players' strike, the second to hit the domestic game this year.

Latin American pay-TV sports network PSN is to broadcast more than 100 matches from two of the region?s soccer tournaments ? the Copa Mercosur and the Copa Merconorte.

South Africa's World Cup bid chief said he was prepared to do a deal with rivals Brazil in order to secure South American backing in the vote to decide who hosts the 2006 tournament.

France stayed ahead of Brazil atop of the FIFA world soccer rankings for a third straight month, while Germany climbed three places to fifth.

The South American Football Confederation (CSF) is to meet next week to discuss whether Colombia should host this year's Copa America following violence in the Andean nation.

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.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter called on Friday for worldwide bans against players who are found guilty of using false passports.

Internet portal SportsYA.com has launched an interactive sports TV programme with Argentine TV network Azul TV.

Colombians are furious over Ameriko, the multi-cultured mascot for this year's Copa America which the Andean nation hosts in July.

ESPN International is to broadcast live coverage of all four rounds of the 2000 World Golf Championship ? EMC World Cup.

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.

Paraguay soccer captain Jose Luis Chilavert was fuming on Saturday after discovering that his photograph was on the match tickets for a 2002 World Cup qualifying match against Colombia.

ESPN is to broadcast live coverage of a major golf tournament in Argentina later this year.