Football news  

Vieira joins forces again with Mancini

Former Arsenal midfielder likely to sign 18-month deal to become Manchester City’s first signing of January transfer window

• Club-by-club guide to January transfer window

• Chelsea have Iaquinta in their sights

Qatar agree deal to keep rivals quiet

Tiny emirate sponsors meeting on eve of African Cup of Nations, blocking England’s chance to make case to host 2018 World Cup

• England World Cup bid handed cash boost

• Host candidates pitch in for 2018 World Cup

Donovan backs Beckham to play in World Cup

United States forward says he should not have criticised his Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate, who would boost England

• How England will win Group C

• Galaxy revival silences some of Beckham critics

Portsmouth bullish after paying players

Fratton Park club finally pay their players’ December wages and insist that there will be no fire sale of players in January

• Portsmouth fail to pay their players again

• Portsmouth face fight for survival

Cricket news  

England's last stand secures desperate draw

South Africa v England: Onions and Swann survive 17 balls after day of tension and courage from visiting batsmen

• Smith 'hugely frustrated' at failure to win

• Smith’s boldness leaves England on the brink

Strauss proud of England’s fighting spirit

Captain praises the ‘unbelievable partnership’ between Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood but is angry over ball-tampering claims

• England's last stand secures desperate draw

• Strauss proud of England’s fighting spirit

Smith 'hugely frustrated' at failure to win

South Africa captain praises fighting qualities of England's batsmen as his team fail to land knockout blow again

• England's last stand secures desperate draw

• Relive the thrilling final day with Hawk-eye

De Villiers: 'We should have made complaint'

South Africa player refuses to let ball tampering allegations drop after ICC says England have no case to answer

• Smith’s boldness leaves England on the brink

• South Africa have done themselves a disservice

Rugby news  

Wilkinson set for second season at Toulon

England fly half, who has been a huge success since joining the Top 14 club last June, ready to take up option of second year

Hot air gives hope to Leicester and Worcester

Premier Rugby officials remain optimistic they will not lose entire programme of Guinness Premiership matches to weather

Clubs switch more big matches to Twickenham

London Irish switch Heineken Cup match to HQ, which will also host Wasps and Bath in the Guinness Premiership

Date fixed for Venter's disrepute hearing

Evidence against Saracens director of rugby centres on radio interview rather than lengthy look at refereeing standards

More sport  

Pacquiao's fight with Mayweather 'is off'

Filipino's promoter claims there is "no chance" of salvaging lucrative bout after talks to resolve differences over drug testing broke down

Robson steals the show from Murray

The 15-year-old holds her own alongside the British No 1 in their victory over Germany in the Hyundai Hopman Cup

FIA considers appeal after Briatore ban lifted

Court overturns suspensions handed to Renault principal and Pat Symonds for roles in “Crashgate”

Making realms of privileged few open to all

Can way be found to make the affluent pursuits of golf, tennis and rowing more accessible to fresh faces?

Racing and Betting News  

Derby switch considered for Diamond Jubilee year

Epsom classic could be run on Tuesday, instead of its usual Saturday, in 2012 as part of four-day royal celebrations

Virtual racing generates real profits for bookies

White-out of British horse racing fails to stop punters from parting with their hard-earned cash on other forms of betting

Reform group initiates trial of decimal odds

Experiment is one of the first ten of a series of measures designed to deliver positive change for the sport

Twiston-Davies hits back at doubters

Trainer insists the statistics do not add up and reckons that his horses are running better than the bare figures imply