Brazil remains world number one, without World Cup (People’s Daily)
Despite failing to win the World Cup in Germany this year, Brazil’s national soccer team remains the number one team according a list published Friday by the sport’s government body FIFA.

Italian soccer federation drops betting investigation of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (Slam! Sports)
ROME (AP) - The Italian soccer federation has ended an investigation into alleged illegal betting by Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Proceedings against the World Cup-winning goalkeeper were dropped, the federation said in a statement Friday.

Soccer: Gamba out to spoil Buchwald swan song in cup final (Kyodo via Yahoo! Asia News)
_ Gamba Osaka will be out to ruin Guido Buchwald’s farewell party when they meet holders Urawa Reds in what promises to be an emotionally charged Emperor’s Cup final in Tokyo on New Year’s Day.

Zidane remains best-loved French despite head-butt (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Zinedine Zidane remains France’s best-loved personality despite his head-butt against Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the soccer World Cup final this year, a survey showed on Saturday.

World Cup has vast implications for Africa (Sunday Times)
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa will have implications for Africa that are likely to extend far beyond the frontiers of the world s most widely-followed sporting spectacle.

All-time TV record in Germany for World Cup (Fox Sports)
Germany’s defeat in the World Cup semifinal drew the largest-ever TV audience in the country, according to year-end ratings for 2006 released Wednesday. Some 29.66 million Germans - out of a population of 80 million - watched Germany’s 2-0 loss to Italy on July 4. Telephone surveys estimated another 16 million followed the game on huge screens set up in public across the country. All seven of the …

Brazil remains world number one, without World Cup (People’s Daily)
Despite failing to win the World Cup in Germany this year, Brazil’s national soccer team remains the number one team according a list published Friday by the sport’s government body FIFA.

Italian soccer federation drops betting investigation of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (Slam! Sports)
ROME (AP) - The Italian soccer federation has ended an investigation into alleged illegal betting by Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Proceedings against the World Cup-winning goalkeeper were dropped, the federation said in a statement Friday.

2006 Soccer: Sweet Italian vintage leaves a bitter aftertaste (International Herald Tribune)
For the second time in its history, Italy won the World Cup while its domestic league was tainted by corruption.

Italian triumph rekindles love affair
Italy’s footballers went into the 2006 FIFA World Cup against the difficult backdrop of a match-fixing scandal yet ended up rekindling their nation’s love for the beautiful game…

All-time TV record in Germany for World Cup (Fox Sports)
Germany’s defeat in the World Cup semifinal drew the largest-ever TV audience in the country, according to year-end ratings for 2006 released Wednesday. Some 29.66 million Germans - out of a population of 80 million - watched Germany’s 2-0 loss to Italy on July 4. Telephone surveys estimated another 16 million followed the game on huge screens set up in public across the country. All seven of the …

Brazil remains No.1, without WC (China Daily)
Despite failing to win the World Cup in Germany this year, Brazil’s national soccer team remains the number one team according a list published Friday by the sport’s government body FIFA.

Zidane remains best-loved French despite head-butt (China Daily)
PARIS - Zinedine Zidane remains France’s best-loved personality despite his head-butt against Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the soccer World Cup final this year, a survey showed on Saturday.

Brazil remains No.1, without WC (China Daily)
Despite failing to win the World Cup in Germany this year, Brazil’s national soccer team remains the number one team according a list published Friday by the sport’s government body FIFA.

Cowie milks plaudits as United foiled in cup bid (Edinburgh Evening News)
PENICUIK United’s bid to land a coveted place in the fourth round of the Soccer World Scottish Amateur Cup ended in disappointment as they lost out in extra time in their third-round replay against Viewfield Rovers.

All-time TV record in Germany for World Cup (Fox Sports)
Germany’s defeat in the World Cup semifinal drew the largest-ever TV audience in the country, according to year-end ratings for 2006 released Wednesday. Some 29.66 million Germans - out of a population of 80 million - watched Germany’s 2-0 loss to Italy on July 4. Telephone surveys estimated another 16 million followed the game on huge screens set up in public across the country. All seven of the …

Cowie milks plaudits as United foiled in cup bid (Edinburgh Evening News)
PENICUIK United’s bid to land a coveted place in the fourth round of the Soccer World Scottish Amateur Cup ended in disappointment as they lost out in extra time in their third-round replay against Viewfield Rovers.

Brazil remains No.1, without WC (China Daily)
Despite failing to win the World Cup in Germany this year, Brazil’s national soccer team remains the number one team according a list published Friday by the sport’s government body FIFA.

Italian triumph rekindles love affair
Italy’s footballers went into the 2006 FIFA World Cup against the difficult backdrop of a match-fixing scandal yet ended up rekindling their nation’s love for the beautiful game…

World Cup has vast implications for Africa (Sunday Times)
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa will have implications for Africa that are likely to extend far beyond the frontiers of the world s most widely-followed sporting spectacle.

2006 in review: Soccer (USA Today)
Well, that’s one way to make sure your sport is firmly ingrained in pop culture … Near the end of a brilliant career and a thrilling World Cup, French legend Zinedine Zidane did the inexplicable, ramming his head straight into…

Soccer supers (Al-Ahram Weekly)
Football had a remarkable year as Egypt won the African Nations Cup and Ahli pulled off an amazing African Champions League victory. But it wasn’t just soccer. Amr Shabana became the first Egyptian to top the world in squash.

Auf Wiedersehen Germany - Wamkelekele eMzansi Africa
Germany was the perfect host for the 2006 FIFA World Cup , offering a warm, friendly face to the entire world. Now the mantle of hosting world football’s greatest event passes to South Africa…

Italian soccer federation drops betting investigation of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (Slam! Sports)
ROME (AP) - The Italian soccer federation has ended an investigation into alleged illegal betting by Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Proceedings against the World Cup-winning goalkeeper were dropped, the federation said in a statement Friday.