A pensioner died in the queue yesterday as thousands of South Africans queued overnight to grab 500,000 World Cup tickets being sold for cash for the first time.
Police said the 64-year-old man suffered an apparent seizure as he waited in a queue in central Cape Town. The Cape Town queue, like others around the country, began on Wednesday as South Africans rushed to get World Cup tickets.
Thousands of excited fans waited patiently in line, some blowing vuvuzelas, the noisy trumpets which are a fixture of South African matches. Around 120,000 of the tickets are available to South Africans for $20, the lowest price at a World Cup for many years.
Ribery to decide future next week
Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery is to put an end to speculation on his future next week as the Bundesliga leaders march towards their first championship in two years.
"We have still some games to play and little recovery time," Ribery said. "Therefore I believe I will decide soon what I will do next year. I hope to have taken a decision in the next week or 10 days."
Ribery denied his destination had been decided, despite reports that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea were interested in the player.
"No. There is at this time no club which says that I will come or to whom I am going," he said.
Reds finances key to Rafa decision
Manager Rafael Benitez intends to see out the remaining four years of his contract at Liverpool but his future could be decided by the club's financial position, according to his agent Manuel Garcia Quilon.
Quilon also claimed an unnamed Chinese investor was interested in buying out co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and keeping Benitez on as manager.
Quilon said Benitez, who has been linked with Juventus, had a long-term commitment at Anfield.
"Benitez intends to fulfil the contract that he has with Liverpool until 2014 but it's true that the club is subject to fluctuations in their financial situation," he said.
"They could influence the future of the club and therefore Benitez as well."
Deschamps playing it cool
Marseille coach Didier Deschamps refused to talk up his side's title chances after their 1-0 win at Sochaux on Wednesday.
Marseille established a five-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 with six games remaining thanks to Stephane Mbia's late strike.
But former France international Deschamps was exercising extreme caution afterwards.
He said: "Of course it is a good situation, I would rather be in our position than that of Bordeaux. But the title?
"I will leave everyone else to talk about it. There are still six games to play and 18 points to win."
Capello calm about Rooney injury
England manager Fabio Capello has exonerated Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson of blame for Wayne Rooney's latest injury setback.
The marauding striker, a key player for England, re-injured his ankle in last week's Champions League quarter-final return against Bayern Munich after having hurt it in the first leg.
"I understand Ferguson perfectly," Capello told yesterday's La Gazzetta dello Sport. "He knows how important Rooney is psychologically for the whole team.
"I don't think he took a risk. If he fielded him after the tests, obviously it wasn't serious."
Valdes deserves Spain role - Laporta
Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes in-form goalkeeper Victor Valdes deserves to be part of Spain's World Cup squad.
The 28-year-old Valdes has yet to win an international cap at senior level but he is making a strong case to be part of Vicente Del Bosque's party to South Africa with some fine performances this season.
Iker Casillas and Jose Reina are confirmed first and second-choice goalkeepers for Spain, but Laporta feels Valdes should also be on the plane to South Africa.
"He's the best goalkeeper in the league. There's no doubt that he deserves it. I would like to see him at the World Cup in South Africa. Everybody can see it and he deserves this reward," Laporta said.
Leonardo receives Milan backing
Milan coach Leonardo received a boost to his hopes of maintaining his post next season when both management and fans spoke out in support of him.
Leonardo attended the Youth Cup final as Milan beat Palermo 2-0 on Wednesday night and was afforded a rousing reception by the club's fans.
And vice-president Adriano Galliani gave the Brazilian his backing too.
"I repeat that Leonardo has another year on his contract with us, right now we're concentrating on the championship," said Galliani.
Leonardo has been under pressure with rumours he will be given the boot at the end of the season after an inconsistent campaign.