Rio Ferdinand insisted Thursday there was nothing controversial about his decision to fly to Qatar in the week he withdrew from England World Cup qualifying duty.

Rio Ferdinand insisted Thursday there was nothing controversial about his decision to fly to Qatar in the week he withdrew from England World Cup qualifying duty.

Italy will have one eye on the Confederations Cup this June when the Azzurri take on Brazil in a friendly Thursday, says Juventus and Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy will have one eye on the Confederations Cup this June when the Azzurri take on Brazil in a friendly Thursday, says Juventus and Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart reacted Tuesday to an inconsistent season with Premier League champions Manchester City by insisting he was his "strongest critic".

France striker Karim Benzema on Tuesday pondered his recent barren run in front of goal for France as Les Bleus prepare to face Georgia and Spain in crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Frank Lampard believes that Rio Ferdinand has not yet played his last game for England, despite the defender having withdrawn from the national squad this week.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has pulled out of the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers with San Marino and Montenegro, national team coach Roy Hodgson announced on Monday.

Torino midfielder Alessio Cerci was the only uncapped addition to Italy coach Cesare Prandelli's 27-man squad ahead of an upcoming friendly against Brazil and a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malta next week.

England manager Roy Hodgson says that Wayne Rooney will be ready to cope with whatever provocation is thrown at him when he returns to play in Montenegro for a crucial World Cup qualifier.

England manager Roy Hodgson says he has no fears about asking Rio Ferdinand to play alongside Ashley Cole for the national team, despite concerns about their relationship.

Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger was on Thursday recalled to the national squad for the double headers against minnows Kazakhstan in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised the proposed format set to be used at Euro 2020 and says the scattering of the tournament over 13 countries will not make it a true European championship, the 77-year-old Swiss told German magazine Kicker on Thursday.

Danish footballer Nicklas Bendtner was banned from driving for three years on Tuesday after being caught drink-driving at the weekend.

The Danish football Federation (DBU) have suspended striker Nicklas Bendtner from international football for six months after being arrested for drink driving, they announced on Monday.

Ever since the dawn of football, governing bodies have been looking for ways to avoid controversial refereeing decisions.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros has rejoined Czech top-flight side Banik Ostrava after parting company with Turkish giants Galatasaray last week, Banik said on Monday.

Roy Hodgson's England side climbed two places to fourth in the latest FIFA monthly rankings released by world football's governing body on Thursday.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes his side are well-placed to repeat their treble-winning success of the 2008/09 season come the end of the campaign.

The environment in the England camp has improved since Roy Hodgson succeeded Fabio Capello as manager, according to Jack Wilshere, man of the match in the 2-1 win over Brazil.