Running highlights from FIFA's congress. World soccer's governing body has voted on a series of reforms and will elect a new president later on Friday (all times GMT): 13.30 The voting process is proving a long, drawn out affair. After an hour's voting, we have crawled to L for Latvia with little to get excited about apart from the brief appearance of Davor Suker, Golden Boot winner as the top scorer at the 1998 World Cup, as he cast Croatia's vote. Time then for a reminder that for a candidate to be elected in the first round, he must obtain at least 138 votes, two-thirds of the 207 votes cast. If this does not happen, a second round is held. This time, a simple majority -- 104 votes, which represents more than 50 percent of the votes -- is sufficient for a candidate to be elected. If no candidate gets that majority, the one with fewest votes will be eliminated and a new round will be held. This continues until one candidate obtains a majority. 12.45. Having begun his speech by promising to "die with my boots on", Sexwale ends it by withdrawing from the race, "I have got a surprise for you. My campaign ends today and I suspend my participation. With only four people it is your problem now." Markus Kattner, FIFA general secretary then reminds delegates of the voting procedure, reminding them not to photograph their ballot papers.
Brazilian police began investigating allegations of corruption in its soccer industry on Thursday, prompted by the arrests of top officials at world soccer body FIFA in a US bribery probe.
Diving or "simulation" is becoming a growing problem and everyone involved in football has a responsibility to make it stop, Everton manager Roberto Martinez said on Friday.
The World Cup will expand to 48 teams from its current 32, starting with the 2026 edition of football's showpiece tournament.
FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne said that as head of soccer's governing body he would seek to move the 2022 Qatar World Cup from November-December to late European spring - a step that would please European associations by averting disruption of their season.
FIFA's executive committee approved a package of planned reforms on Thursday aimed at cleaning up soccer's scandal-plagued world governing body, proposing integrity checks and term limits for senior officials and a new separation of policy and management positions.
FIFA has approved five candidates for its February presidential election amid the worst crisis in its history, after barring Liberia's Musa Bility on integrity grounds and leaving out UEFA chief Michel Platini while he remains under suspension.
World soccer's governing body FIFA officially opened its new $196 million headquarters on Tuesday as delegates arrived for the start of a two-day congress.
The Iranian group OpenStadiums, which is campaigning for the right of women to attend sports fixtures in the Islamic Republic, said that some women were arrested near Azadi stadium on Thursday during the Esteghlal-Persepolis match.
Manchester United will be asked to cancel their July tour match in Malaysia after organisers bowed to mounting pressure from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the country's top soccer official said.
Palestinian sports supremo Jibril Rajoub has threatened to call for Israel's expulsion from world soccer's governing body after it denied a number of officials entry to the West Bank for a youth tournament on security grounds
FIFA presidential candidate Zico believes that the rules for electing the head of soccer's governing body are unfair, outdated and subject voting federations to outside pressure.
FIFA has strongly denied allegations of bribery and corruption made in the BBC television programme Panorama.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter warned that the proposal could harm England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo is not clever enough to become FIFA president one day in the future.
European soccer chief Michel Platini wants yellow cards to be replaced by a rugby-style system of sin bins.
Esther Staubli is set to become the first female referee to officiate a match at the ongoing FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2017.
Luis Figo was one of the most talented, successful and exciting players of his generation, leading Portugal to a series of impressive performances which put many bigger countries to shame.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter hinted that the head-butt on Italy's Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final might cost the France captain the best player's award.
Real Sociedad midfielder Carlos Vela was called up by Mexico for November tour friendlies on Tuesday after turning his back on his country since March 2011.
Newcastle United are set to make a £5-million (about R66-million) bid for Alan Smith but allow the England striker to stay at crisis club leeds United to the end of the season.
FIFA presidential candidate Luis Figo says he has no plans to quit his campaign.
Javier Ceppi, Tournament Director of the 2017 Under-17 football World Cup, which India will host, says the success of the event depends on the country's fans. Laxmi Negi reports.
Eddie Jordan has made an emotional appeal to Michael Schumacher to retire before he tarnishes the amazing legend he has created.
I don't think that India should dream about being at world level even after 100 years, said Mohamed bin Hammam.
Chief executive emerges as rival to wealthy Bahraini in race to save Leeds United.
Ambani's holding group launched the Indian Super League, an elite competition of newly created teams, in 2014 with the aim of attracting investment and big global names, much like the Indian Premier League has in cricket. 'It was 100% a wasted opportunity'.
The abbot of China's ancient Shaolin Temple will fly to Germany to watch the World Cup final at the invitation of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, state media reported on Wednesday.
Graham Poll will learn his World Cup fate either later on Friday or on Saturday following his blunder in handing three yellow cards.
US authorities are investigating corruption at FIFA, soccer's global governing body, while Swiss prosecutors have announced their own criminal inquiry into the 2018 and 2022 bids awarded, respectively, to Russia and Qatar.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Liverpool should be given a chance to defend their title should they win the Champions League
The cricket mogul won the International Journal of History of Sport achievement award for his contribution to the world of sport.
A European-led boycott of FIFA or the World Cup is unrealistic.
Following the Under-17 World Cup in 2017, India would bid for both the 2018 Club World Cup and the 2020 Under-20 football World Cup.
Russian referee Valentin Ivanov was given a resounding vote of no confidence by players, coaches and even FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
The smartball is fitted with a tiny microchip designed to help a referee decide whether the ball has crossed the line completely.
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