South Africa

Soccer's world governing body FIFA said "no sanctions were foreseen" against Brazil for pulling out of the race to host the 2006 World Cup at the 11th hour.

As widely anticipated, Brazil has withdrawn from the race to host soccer?s 2006 World Cup.

Later this week the FIFA executive committee meet to vote on which country will host the 2006 World Cup.

German Football Federation (DFB) president Egidius Braun has been taken to hospital over the weekend, a DFB spokesman said.

Speculation is mounting that Brazil is on the verge of pulling out of the race for the World Cup ? with an announcement on its bid due later today from the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

After taking bets for over two years on who will win the right to stage the World Cup 2006, UK betting firm William Hill have finally closed their book ? just days before the FIFA executive committee finally votes on who will stage the tournament.

Germany and South Africa emerged as clear joint favourites to stage the 2006 World Cup on Friday after the leaking of a confidential FIFA report ranking them as technically the best bids.

FIFA, world soccer?s governing body, appears to be back-tracking over a confidential report which ranked England's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup below that of rivals Germany and South Africa.

The deadline for an interim report into cricket match-fixing in South Africa has been extended to August 11, an official for a commission of inquiry that conducted the probe has said.

Former London Metropolitan police chief Paul Condon has been appointed to head the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption body set up to eradicate match-fixing from the game.

Alec McGivan, the director of England's campaign to stage the 2006 World Cup, has questioned the motives behind UEFA's threat to expel England from Euro 2000 following incidents of hooliganism.

The ICC has sold the television, sponsorship, licensing, merchandise and internet rights to the next two Cricket World Cups for $550million, according to a report in The Times newspaper.

In a move that should add significant revenues to the coffers of cricket?s poorest affiliate nation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed that Bangladesh has been granted Test status.

Federal investigators questioned India's former cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin for three hours on Thursday over his alleged involvement in match-fixing.

South Africa?s golf tour has concluded a new five-year sponsorship deal with Vodacom, which will see Vodacom remain the cellular network partner of choice in professional tournament golf.

South African World Cup 2006 bid officials have said it would be a pity if the chances of rivals England were scuttled by UEFA'S threat to expel the English team from the European championship finals.