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Crouch determined to seal England place

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:09:25 GMT

Jermain Defoe has told Peter Crouch exactly what it feels like not to get picked for the World Cup - and there is no way the Tottenham striker wants to suffer the same fate.

Burley takes pressure off undecided Driver

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

George Burley, the Scotland manager, has backed Andrew Driver's decision to put his international future on hold and concentrate on his Hearts performances. The England Under-21 international announced that he would make a final decision on his allegiance in "a few weeks" after he recovers his form.

England warned of World Cup bid embarrassment

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:21:08 GMT

The Football Association team bidding to stage the 2018 World Cup must secure Africa's four votes or go the way of the embarrassingly unsuccessful 2006 campaign. That was the message here yesterday from one of the most accomplished and experienced of football politicians.

Ferdinand fitness doubts threaten England place

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Rio Ferdinand faces the axe from Fabio Capello's England squad for the friendly against Brazil next week if he does not prove his fitness by playing at Chelsea in Manchester United's top-of-the-table match on Sunday.

Driver needs time to choose direction, says Smith

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Gordon Smith has compared Andrew Driver's dilemma over his international future to someone choosing between two potential girlfriends. But the Scottish Football Association chief executive Smith said yesterday that he does not believe Driver risks losing both Scotland and England as suitors if he continues to stall on committing to either country.

South Africa 'must look past 2010'

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

One month today, the draw for next summer's World Cup finals will be made amid much fanfare in Cape Town. Down there, as Africa prepares to stage the tournament for the first time, all is optimism; the new 68,000 capacity Green Point stadium, a semi-final venue set between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, is on schedule – if 125 per cent over budget – and should be formally handed over to the city council on 14 December.

I'm not tormented by Capello, says Owen

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Michael Owen declared for the second time yesterday that he is the one in his relationship with Fabio Capello who enjoys a consistently good night's sleep. Il Duce might consider Owen his nocturnal "tormentor", to quote an utterance which was slightly gilded in translation last week, but you won't find Owen awake in the small hours. "I don't go to bed thinking if I will play for England again," he said. "I think about playing well for Manchester United and the rest will take care of itself."

Owen focuses on Manchester United rather than England

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:50:38 GMT

Michael Owen will go to bed tonight dreaming of scoring goals for Manchester United rather than reclaiming his England place.

Lampooned, attacked and undermined... now Burley fights back

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Who knows better than George Burley the way football can shift its favour with sudden lurches that carry the great force of the unexpected? For so long during Scotland's ill-fated World Cup qualifying campaign, he seemed a man forever on the brink of some fraught calamity, and there was a growing feeling that separating him from the job that was drawing such deeply careworn frowns on his greying features would be an act of mercy. Yet now, almost two months on from the defeat by Holland that confirmed again the Scots' place in the margins of the game, he is still in charge, and defiant in his own sombre, practised manner.

Giggs: I want to be Wales manager

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Ryan Giggs would like to manage Wales at some future date if, as expected, he pursues a career in coaching after finally retiring from Manchester United. In an interview with The Independent on Sunday, he said the great disappointment of his glittering career is missing out on appearing at a major tournament for his country.

Trapattoni names play-off squad

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:56:20 GMT

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has left Steven Reid, Andy Reid, Steve Finnan and Clinton Morrison out of the 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifying play-off against France.

Ferguson laments England's Doha friendly

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:34:05 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson has issued a veiled criticism of the Football Association's decision to schedule England's friendly international against Brazil in Doha next month.

Bellamy ponders international retirement

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:19:09 GMT

Wales captain Craig Bellamy admits he would have to consider his international future should Manchester City qualify for the Champions League.

Maradona in state of 'violent emotion'

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:39:10 GMT

Diego Maradona was "in a state of violent emotion" when he made lewd remarks at journalists after Argentina qualified for the World Cup finals, the Argentine Football Association's (AFA) lawyer said on Wednesday.

Tormentor Owen fires a message to Capello

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Just a day after Fabio Capello described him as his "tormentor", Michael Owen kept up the pressure on England's manager to pick him with a superb goal in Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carling Cup last night. Not everything went to plan for United, though, as Gary Neville was sent off for serious foul play after he was deemed to have made a high tackle on Adam Hammill.

Aurelio back for Brazil in Doha friendly with England

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The Brazil coach Dunga has named the uncapped pair of Hulk and Carlos Eduardo in his squad for next month's friendly against England in Doha, while the Liverpool full-back Fabio Aurelio has been recalled.

High-tech Ancelotti helps England

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Carlo Ancelotti yesterday promised to put the high-tech sports science of the famous Milan Lab behind England's challenge for next summer's World Cup to ensure the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry are fit and fresh in South Africa.

I'm tormented by Owen obsession, says Capello

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Michael Owen got the bleakest signal yet that he is not in Fabio Capello's England plans yesterday when the Italian described the striker as his "tormentor" because he was so fed up with people asking him when he was going to pick him.

Capello expresses dislike of divers

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:57:33 GMT

Fabio Capello has spelt out his dislike of diving but the England head coach admitted he would not "kill" one of his players if he dived to win a match.

Handbag row casts shadow over 2018 bid

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

The England 2018 World Cup bid committee was drawn into a row last night with the BBC after the corporation revealed that the bid team had bought £230 Mulberry handbags for the wives of the 24 members of the Fifa executive committee (ExCo).

Germany to help England World Cup bid

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

The England 2018 World Cup bid committee will answer criticisms today that they do not have enough high-profile figures associated with their campaign by announcing that 67 famous footballers – past and present – have signed up to become "2018 ambassadors", including one German.

Ribery set to miss Ireland play-off

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:39:50 GMT

Midfielder Franck Ribery looks set to miss France's World Cup play-off against Republic of Ireland with a knee injury.

Maradona has no regrets over outburst

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:32:19 GMT

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has no regrets over the lewd outburst he aimed at reporters after his side sealed a dramatic victory over Uruguay last week to qualify for next year's World Cup finals.

Hodgson turns down Sweden and Norway offers

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:58:39 GMT

Fulham will be under pressure to secure boss Roy Hodgson on a long-term contract after it emerged he turned down approaches from Norway as well as Sweden.

Santana exit may hasten the return of Parreira

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Kirsten Nematandani, the South African football president, is remaining tight-lipped on any possible successors to Joel Santana following the exit of the national coach.