France, Portugal, Greece and Slovenia have qualified for the 2010 World Cup to complete Europe's 13 places in South Africa.

A key World Cup qualifier between Algeria and Egypt has reawakened the two sides' decades-long rivalry as both countries are eager to make another WC appearance in years.

Iran's national volleyball squad has defeated the African champion Egypt in the Men's World Grand Champions Cup held in Japan.

Brazil has earned a 2-0 victory against Oman in a friendly held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat to take its tally to 14 victories in 17 matches.

Austrian officials have confirmed that they did not play Israel's national anthem at an international fencing competition after Israeli fencers won medals.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has been banned from football for two months by FIFA over his violent outburst after last month's victory over Uruguay.

Tens of thousands of fans and dozens of players and officials have paid their last respects to German goalkeeper Robert Enke at a memorial service in Hannover.

Iran's karate practitioners have won three silver medals along with three previous golds at the World Junior and Cadet Karate Championships held in Rabat.

A deflected winner by Nicolas Anelka against Ireland has put France in sight of the 2010 World Cup at Croke Park Stadium in Dublin.

Iran's top discus thrower, Ehsan Haddadi, has won a gold medal at the 18th Asian Athletics Championships held in China.

Iran has secured a home win against Jordan thanks to a strike by captain Javad Nekounam, earning a first victory after failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

New Zealanders have reached the 2010 World Cup finals for the second time, after defeating Bahrain 1-0 in the second leg of the Asia-Oceania qualifier.

Iranian runner Sajjad Moradi has snatched the gold medal in the men's 800m run at the 18th Asian Track and Field Championship.

Three world-class Iranian futsal players have been invited to play in the world 'All Stars' against Brazil's national futsal team in late December.

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, has been arrested at Los Angeles International Airport following an argument with a paparazzi photographer.

World number one Roger Federer has made an early exit from the Paris Masters following his surprise defeat by Frenchman Julien Benneteau.

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has announced plans to offer the shares of popular soccer clubs Esteqlal and Persepolis to private investors.

The death of the German goalkeeper, Robert Enke, has caused great shock in Germany and around the world.

Real Madrid have crashed out of the Copa del Rey after losing 4-1 on aggregate to Alcorcon, while Barcelona easily advanced with a 5-0 win over Cultural Leonesa.

Robert Enke, goalkeeper of Germany's national soccer team, has died after being struck by a train in what police called an 'apparent' suicide.

Iran's national soccer squad has snatched a 1-0 victory against Iceland in a friendly match held at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.

Iran's sitting volleyball squad has won the third edition of the Junior World Sitting Volleyball Championships held in the holy Iranian city of Mashhad.

Rah Ahan has finally broken a 29-year spell by defeating Esteqlal 3-2 at Tehran's Azadi Stadium before the mid-season break.

Trentino BetClic of Italy has defeated Iran's Peykan to qualify for the finals of the FIVB 2009 Men's Club World Championship.

Sepahan has trounced Peykan 4-1 to retain top placement at the Iranian Premier League (IPL) before the mid-season break.

Persepolis, one of Tehran's most popular soccer teams, has won a 2-1 victory over Aboumoslem to move to the fourth place in the Iranian Premier League, IPL.

A pair of late goals from Sebastian Gallegos have helped Uruguay defeat Iran 2-1 in extra-time at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup underway in Nigeria.

PGE Skra Belchatow of Poland has defeated Iran's Peykan at the 2009 FIVB Men's Club World Volleyball Championship in Doha, Qatar.

Olympique Lyon and Sevilla have managed to advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League with two games to go.

Iran's Peykan have defeated Brazil's Cimed 3-1 at the 2009 FIVB Men's Club World Volleyball Championship in Doha, Qatar.

English soccer clubs Manchester United and Chelsea have advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League despite being held in their fourth matches.

Esteqlal and Zob Ahan came victorious to narrow their gap with Sepahan, which is leading Iran's Premier League (IPL) with 28 points.

Iranian teenagers will face a rival from South America at round 16 of the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria after top placement in Group C.

Barcelona have secured a 1-1 draw against Osasuna as arch-rival Real Madrid won Getafe 2-0 at the Bernabeu.

Asian champions Iran has defeated European runners-up the Netherlands, advancing to round 16 of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

Iran's national Wushu team has taken second place at the 10th Wushu World Championships, WWC, held in Toronto, Canada.

Italian giants Inter Milan have moved four points clear of rivals at the top of Serie A after defeating Palermo 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller.

Two last-gasp goals by Luca Cigarini and German Denis have earned Napoli a 2-2 draw against 10-man AC Milan in Serie A.

Iran remains top of Group C following a goalless draw against Colombia at the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria.

Iran will take on Italy, Japan, and Egypt in the opening round of the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championships Italy 2010.

Title holders Manchester United have booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup following a 2-0 win over Barnsley.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have suffered an astonishing 4-0 defeat against third-tier side Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey.

Esteqlal has failed to reclaim the top spot in Iran's Premier League (IPL) following a 1-0 defeat against Zob Ahan, which marked the second loss for the Blues this season.

David Beckham will definitely rejoin AC Milan on loan in January, says the club's chief executive Adriano Galliani.

Sepahan finds its way to the top of Iran's Premier League table, while Persepolis beat Teraktor Sazi to move up to the fourth place.

After an abysmal week, Barcelona moves three points clear at the top of the Spanish league thanks to its confidence-building attacking force that hit Real Zaragoza six times at the Camp Nou.

In a match marred with ugly clashes and two sent-offs, Liverpool manages to snatch a 2-0 home victory against champions Manchester United.

Chelsea have returned to the top of the English Premier League table following a convincing 5-0 victory against Blackburn at Stamford Bridge.

Iran's national soccer team is scheduled to play a friendly match against Macedonia at Tehran's Azadi Stadium on November 18.

Brazil's former coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, has been appointed the new manager of South Africa's national soccer team.

Tehran's popular soccer team, Esteqlal has remained at the top of the Iranian Premier League (IPL) table despite a 1-1 draw against Saba.

Iran's national shooting team has won the first West Asian Shooting Championship that was held in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Popular soccer team, Persepolis, of Tehran, has climbed to fifth place in the Iranian Premier League, IPL, having achieved a 2-0 victory against Saipa.

Iranian heavyweight lifter, Saeed Ali-Hosseini, has set new records in the snatch, clean and jerk and total categories during his training session.

A German security firm responsible for protecting the country's football squad has asked the national team to wear bulletproof vests at next summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Alexandre Pato's late winner has helped AC Milan snatch a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Real Madrid in Champions League Group C.

Defending champions Barcelona and five-time winner Liverpool have both suffered surprising 2-1 home defeats in the UEFA Champions League.

Iran's Physical Education Organization (PEO) is in talks with the country's state broadcaster to launch a sports channel.

Iranian superstars Ali Karimi and Mehdi Mahdavikia have appeared in the list of the world's most popular football players in 2009.

Goals from Brazilians Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato have helped Italian giant AC Milan earn a 2-1 comeback victory against AS Roma.