Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

David Ginola collapsed playing a charity soccer game

Ginola recovering from quadruple heart bypass

David Ginola declared himself "fine" on Friday after regaining consciousness following a quadruple heart bypass operation overnight.

Soccer • 20 May 16

Wolfgang Niersbach with President of 2006 FIFA World Cup Organisation committee Franz Beckenbauer

FIFA recommend two-year ban for Niersbach

FIFA's ethics committee has recommended a two-year ban from all football activities for former German FA president Wolfgang Niersbach for an alleged bribe paid to secure the right to host the 2006 World Cup.

Soccer • 20 May 16

FIFA suffer blow as key member quits in protest

FIFA has been hit by fresh turmoil after Domenico Scala quit as president of the organisation's audit and compliance committee over fears that new powers handed to the ruling Council could "impede" future corruption investigations.

Soccer • 14 May 16

Kurtley Beale was carried off on a stretcher in the opening minute

Wasps new boy Beale could be out for 12 months

New Wasps signing Kurtley Beale could be a set for a significant spell out after suffering a reportedly serious knee injury while playing for the NSW Waratahs against the Bulls on Saturday.

Rugby • 14 May 16

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura succeeds Jermoe Valcke

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura lands major FIFA post

Senegalese diplomat Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura has been appointed as FIFA's first female secretary general at the annual congress of world football's governing body in Mexico City.

Soccer • 13 May 16

Kurtley Beale signs for Wasps

Wasps have completed one of the biggest signings in Aviva Premiership history after announcing that Australia star Kurtley Beale has been recruited for the 2016-17 season.

Rugby • 13 May 16

Kevin Doyle played the full ninety for Colorado on Wednesday

Doyle's Rapids push clear at the top

Kevin Doyle's Colorado Rapids maintained their hot home streak in Major League Soccer, despite an uneven performance, edging Sporting Kansas City 1-0 on Wednesday.

Soccer • 12 May 16

Gerrard says he is happy in LA but is eyeing a return home to Liverpool

Gerrard has sights set on Liverpool return

Steven Gerrard says he is enjoying going "unnoticed" in Los Angeles - but plans to return to Liverpool "sooner rather than later".

Soccer • 09 May 16

Bayern Munich's Brazilian defender Rafinha (C) toasts their league success

Guardiola shares title glory with Heynckes

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola paid tribute to his predecessor Jupp Heynckes after making history on Saturday.

Soccer • 07 May 16

Redknapp will take up a part-time role with the Central Coast Mariners

Redknapp won’t travel to Australia for new role

Harry Redknapp has revealed he won’t relocate to Australia for his new role as a football consultant and embarrassingly got the name of his new club wrong in a recent interview.

Soccer • 04 May 16

Kosovo supporters hold up a giant national football team flag

Kosovo earns acceptance as official UEFA member

Kosovo has been accepted as a member of UEFA, becoming the 55th member of European soccer's governing body despite strong opposition from neighbouring Serbia, from which it declared independence in 2008.

Soccer • 03 May 16

Ashley Cole received his marching orders

MLS review: Ten-man LA Galaxy hold on for draw

Ashley Cole was sent off for LA Galaxy but they held on for a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City in the MLS.

Soccer • 02 May 16

Dusan Tadic shields the ball from Aston Villa's Kevin Toner

Irish Abroad: Long nets for Saints as Euros loom

Here is your guide to how Irish players abroad got on this weekend with just 48 days to go until Ireland face Sweden in Paris at the Stade de France.

Soccer • 25 Apr 16

Steven Gerrard scored his first of the season in added time

MLS review: Gerrard misses penalty in LA win

Steven Gerrard missed an early penalty but capped Los Angeles Galaxy's 5-2 win over Real Salt Lake with a stoppage-time goal in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

Soccer • 24 Apr 16

O'Brien's Highland Reel up for the Cup

Highland Reel is reported in top trim ahead of the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday, while Aidan O'Brien said he is looking at the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket for Ballydoyle.

Racing • 23 Apr 16

Qatar has come in for major criticism over workers treatment

FIFA urges Qatar to speed up workers reform

The head of soccer's world governing body FIFA urged Qatar to hasten improvements in safety and labour conditions for builders working on sites for the 2022 World Cup and declared: "we will not just sit and wait".

Soccer • 22 Apr 16

Manuel Neuer (R) has penned a two-year extension at Bayern Munich

Bayern pin down Manuel Neuer until 2021

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the German champions until 2021, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

Soccer • 20 Apr 16

Richie McCaw holds aloft the 2015 World Cup

McCaw: Playing it smart key to avoiding bin

“You lived offside your whole career. How the hell did you get away with it?” is not the first question that greets New Zealand legend Richie McCaw, writes Micil Glennon.

Rugby • 21 Apr 16

Lee Nguyen levelled with a last-gasp penalty for Revolution

MLS review: Drama as Revolution secure point

Lee Nguyen's penalty six minutes into stoppage time secured a dramatic 2-2 draw in New England Revolution's MLS trip to Orlando City.

Soccer • 18 Apr 16

Didier Drogba came on in the second half

MLS review: Drogba back with goal for Montreal

After sitting out the first five games of the Major League Soccer season to avoid playing on artificial pitches, Didier Drogba marked his 2016 debut with a goal as Montreal Impact beat Chicago Fire 2-1 on Saturday.

Soccer • 17 Apr 16

Sepp Blatter: "When they need me to defend FIFA, I will be available."

Sepp Blatter ready to 'defend' FIFA in US court

Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said he will defend football's governing body at the trial into corruption held in the United States.

Soccer • 15 Apr 16

MLS round-up: Portland and Galaxy play out a draw

Portland defender Nat Borchers turned the ball into his own net with six minutes left as the defending Major League Soccer champions were held to a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.

Soccer • 11 Apr 16

The Republic beat Switzerland and drew with Slovakia yet moved down two places

Contrasting fortunes for Irish in FIFA rankings

There was contrasting fortunes for Ireland north and south in the latest FIFA world rankings with Michael O’Neill’s side moving up two places as Martin’s Republic were bounced out of the top 30.

Soccer • 07 Apr 16

FIFA has confirmed that Juan Pedro Damiani has left his role with the independent ethics committee

FIFA independent ethics committee member resigns

A member of FIFA's independent ethics committee has resigned from his post following allegations related to the Panama Papers leak.

Soccer • 06 Apr 16

Infantino embroiled in Panama Papers probe

UEFA's offices were raided by Swiss police after its former secretary general and now FIFA president Gianni Infantino became embroiled in the Panama Papers affair.