Mark Bosnich has snubbed a one-year loan move to Celtic. The 28-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper has decided to stay and battle it out with Fabien Barthez and Raimond van der Gouw.

"I believe that I will become the number one goalkeeper again at Manchester United despite the obstacles that are being placed in front of me," he said.

The controversy surrounding the awarding of the 2006 World Cup finals to Germany ended yesterday when beaten candidate South Africa announced it was dropping its campaign to get FIFA to vote again.

South Africa soccer federation vice-president Irvin Khoza said he had received indications from within FIFA that Africa would be awarded the 2010 finals.

Niall Quinn has signed a new three-year contract with Sunderland after pledging to finish his career with the premier side.

Quinn scored 14 premier league goals last year to continue his much acclaimed partnership with England international Kevin Phillips.

Leeds United's Australian striker Harry Kewell will be out of action for the team until October at the earliest. Kewell has been ordered to rest his Achilles tendon injury.

Croatia's international striker Alen Boksic is set to join Middlesborough after agreeing a £2.5 million sterling transfer from Italian champions Lazio.

Arsenal's intended Brazilian signing Edu has returned to Brazil's World Club champions Corinthians following the collapse of an intended £6 million sterling deal.

AC Milan made a diplomatic blunder ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League qualifying clash against Dinamo Zagreb.

The club published an article identifying the Croatian champions as Yugoslav.

Robbie Fowler has been told he could be out of action for six weeks.

The Liverpool captain had specialist treatment on his damaged right ankle yesterday which confirmed that the England striker had strained ligaments.