United Kingdom

The BBC has pulled its flagship Saturday sports show Grandstand from its schedules this weekend as a result of intense competition from its rival free-to-air channels.

The English Football Association has apologised to Denmark for violence involving Arsenal fans at the UEFA Cup final but said it would not affect England's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup.

English rugby has taken a step towards a new domestic playing structure. The top clubs have agreed to conclude negotiations with the national governing body over a plan drawn up by former England fly-half Rob Andrew.

The English Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have put the finishing touches to a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will lead to long-term technical co-operation between the two governing bodies.

Asian club football is set for a complete overhaul within the next 12 months with the establishment of what will effectively be a super-league.

Africa should host a soccer World Cup but not the 2006 tournament, said Franz Beckenbauer, who is leading Germany's bid to stage the event.

Brazil has told Asian nations that its bid for the 2006 World Cup combined passion and organisation and it deserved to host the tournament.

Jackie Baillie, Scotland?s deputy communities minister, wants Mike Tyson banned from Britain for a proposed fight in Glasgow next month.

Brazil has told Asian nations that its bid for the 2006 World Cup combined passion and organisation and it deserved to host the tournament.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, who served a three-year jail term for rape, has applied for British immigration clearance to fight in Scotland next month, officials have confirmed.

UK Athletics has confirmed a three-year #500,000 sponsorship deal with Aqua-Pura Natural Mineral Water. Aqua-Pura will be designated the official natural mineral water of UK Athletics and the Great Britain Athletics Team. It will also sponsor the ?Road to Sydney? series of athletics meetings.

British cash-and-carry firm Booker has struck a deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to sponsor both international and county cricket umpires for the current season.

The England World Cup 2006 bidding team believes it has struck a decisive blow after a successful week in the Bahamas lobbying the CONCACAF congress. The votes in the region could be pivotal when the final decision is made in July.

A major new internet site devoted to cricket has been launched this week, with the full endorsement of the Professional Cricketers Association.

England?s bid for the 2006 World Cup has received a boost from FIFA vice-president David Will.

Bobby Robson, the Newcastle United - and former England - manager, has been named non-executive director of a Sunday newspaper publisher devoted to non?league football, reports the Financial Times.