Sub-Saharan Africa

The results of a poll of leading sports editors making England favourites to host the 2006 World Cup finals confirmed support had turned their way, Alec McGivan, director of England's bid, has said.

T&T Sports Marketing has sold the exclusive global rights outside of South America for the South American qualifying matches for the World Cup 2002 to Dream Sports International.

The three nations with clubs in the Super 12 rugby competition have agreed to test a system for television officials to assist match referees this season, the New Zealand Rugby Union has confirmed.

Bernie Ecclestone has dropped plans to seek new investors for his Formula One Administration until the European Commission gives a final ruling on grand prix broadcasting rights.

Last-minute negotiations are underway to ensure the introduction of video referees for the Super 12 rugby union competition, starting later this month.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will support one of Africa's two bids for the 2006 World Cup finals after FIFA inspection visits to Morocco and South Africa.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given Brazil a timely boost in the race to host the 2006 World Cup.

South African Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour has said his country would "comfortably earn" the right to stage the 2006 World Cup finals.

World cricket chiefs have approved a request by the Australian Cricket Board for official one-day internationals to be played indoors.

Morocco, in a move to reaffirm its bid to stage the 2006 World Cup, says it has no plans to withdraw from the competition to host the finals, an official statement said.

The head of South Africa?s bid for soccer?s 2006 World Cup has refuted suggestions that events at the African Nations Cup in Nigeria will have a negative effect.

FIA president Max Mosley has threatened to reduce the number of Grand Prix events in Europe in the wake of the EU?s investigation into the FIA's control of television rights in the sport.

The chief executive officer of South Africa's bid committee for the 2006 Soccer World Cup has told the South African Cabinet that he is extremly confident the country will be awarded the event, the Pan African News Agency reports.

The International Automobile Federation has accused the European Union Commission of mismanaging its antitrust investigation and threatened to sue.

South Africa says it is trying to persuade Morocco to quit the race to host the 2006 World Cup finals and allow it to be Africa's sole candidate.

MCC, the world's most famous cricket club, is to vote again on whether to allow women members for the first time in its 211-year history.