The head of the Bundesliga says Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness was only admitting what many think privately when he cited security in South Africa as an issue ahead of this year's World Cup.

Former European player of the year Ruud Gullit has been appointed president of the bid committee seeking to stage 2018 or 2022 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.

FIFA has included Martin Hansson among 30 referees selected for the World Cup despite the Swede missing Thierry Henry's hand ball during France's decisive qualifier against Ireland in November.

Nigeria has fired Shaibu Amodu following a disappointing African Cup of Nations, leaving the team without a head coach just months before the World Cup.

List of referees announced Saturday for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:

England says British Telecom is the first main sponsor backing the bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

The United States will train for the World Cup in South Africa at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria, the same base it used during last year's successful run at the Confederations Cup.

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Clint Mathis will miss four to six weeks after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Estonia midfielder Joel Lindpere has signed with the New York Red Bulls from Norwegian club Tromso.

Philadelphia at Seattle, 9:30 p.m.

David Beckham's former manager says he does not regret selling the superstar midfielder seven years ago.

Steve Ralston has signed with AC St. Louis of the new North American Soccer League after a 14-year career with Major League Soccer.

The New England Revolution have re-signed Honduran left midfielder Mauricio Castro and backup goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth.

Major League Soccer's career goal leader Jaime Moreno has re-signed with D.C. United.

Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor scored to give Manchester City a 2-0 win over Bolton on Tuesday night that moved it up to fifth place in the Premier League.

The U.S. national team will open its domestic schedule next month with a pair of matches against Mexico.

Ronaldinho was omitted Tuesday from Brazil's 22-man roster for a March 2 exhibition against Ireland in London.

Officials at Albanian club Apolonia Fieri say they have suspended four players and called on prosecutors to investigate allegations of match fixing.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has disregarded objections from Rory Fallon and Plymouth Argyle by selecting the England-based forward for a March 3 World Cup warmup against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The David Beckham Academy in Carson and another location in Britain have closed, although the Los Angeles Galaxy star is working to develop another soccer coaching program for children.

Birmingham 2, Wolverhampton 1

2 Recommendations

Midfielder Shannon Boxx has been selected first by Saint Louis Athletica in the Women's Professional Soccer disperal draft.