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Indonesia are out of the running to host the 2022 World Cup, football’s governing body Fifa has said.

Fifa announced that Indonesia were no longer a candidate as they had failed to provide government guarantees.

“The government said their main concern was the people of the country and they would not support the bid,” said Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke.

Meanwhile, a move to impose an eight-year limit on the office of Fifa president has been heavily defeated. @BBC

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Speaking in a post-training press conference today, Barcelona central defender Gerard Pique commented on his club’s tie with Premier League side Arsenal, which was revealed today in the Champions League draw.

“They are a very young team, and one that is very difficult to face. They are fighting for the Premier League title and have opportunies of winning it. It will cost us something to beat them. I prefer teams that attack us and do not think only of defending. It could be a great spectacle for everyone involved,” said the Barca defender in comments reported by AS.

Pique revealed that the team watched the Champions League draw in the dressing room and that Thierry Henry, despite his past at Arsenal, did not comment. With respect to Real Madrid players’ comments that they would not like to see Barca in the final on their home ptich, Pique understood. “Playing the final in the Bernabeu would be great. The rivalry surely makes them hope we don’t win. But it is a great source of pride to be the only Spanish team and hear them say it in the news.” @Goal

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FIFA has lifted a suspension on Asian champions Iraq but warned Brunei they face expulsion as a member over political interference.

“Iraq is fully back as a member, they have a road map to (federation) elections and they can play football again,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter told reporters after an executive committee meeting of football’s governing body on Friday.

Iraq were banned in November for the second time in 18 months after the country’s Olympic committee disbanded their football association (IFA) and government security forces seized control of the federation headquarters. @FFT

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River’s 4,000 tickets sold out in 120 seconds. Tourists are charged £260 for a seat up in the stand – 50 times more than for ‘normal’ games.

One coach is rubbing his hands at the prospect of winning and leaving the other side bottom of the table. The other says (or, depending on who you believe, has been told) that he’ll be leaving after the game – lose, draw or win. Recent form suggests the first option is the most probable.

One striker declares he’s not afraid of the intimidating atmosphere. Another is going for club goalscoring record against the fiercest of rivals. One legendary playmaker is fighting with his club and his demons. Another legendary playmaker is fighting with his teammates, the press, the coach, the club and anyone who happens to pop in to say hola. @FFT

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Inter boss Jose Mourinho has chosen not to include Mario Balotelli in his squad for the third match in a row.

The Special One lost his patience with Balotelli the weekend before last when he didn’t show total commitment against Genoa.

Balotelli’s brother, Corrado, claimed that Inter had overstepped the line by making the 19-year-old play despite having a fever, something Mourinho and his medical staff have categorically denied.

Corrado also revealed that Mino Raiola is now representing Balotelli. Raiola is the agent who orchestrated Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s move away from San Siro last summer. @Italia

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Inter ambassador Luis Figo believes his side can be happy with their Champions League quarter-final draw, which pits them against CSKA Moscow.

Speaking after the draw in Nyon, the former Ballon d’Or winner did warn though that there are no easy games at this stage of Europe’s elite club competition.

“It’s always difficult to evaluate the teams you play against because at this point they are all top quality,” Figo told UEFA.com.

“But Inter can be happy because we avoided the big names like Barcelona and Manchester United. @Italia

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Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has revealed his squad list of face Sporting Gijon this weekend, and there’s a host of big names that will miss out the vital clash.

According to Real Madrid’s official website, Pellegrini has selected 17 men from the first team and one youth player ahead of tomorrow’s game.

The biggest news is the omission of Kaka, who has been left out of the squad ever since Real Madrid exited the Champions League at the hands of Lyon last week. Los Blancos’ medical provider Sanitas report that the Brazilian has a contracture on the left hamstring muscle and is unable to feature. @Goal

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Fabio Capello has admitted England’s World Cup chances rest on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney, hailing the Manchester United striker’s form as ‘incredible’.

Rooney has been in stellar touch for the Barclays Premier League champions this season netting 32 goals, and at times single-handedly keeping United’s season alive.

‘The most important player is Wayne Rooney,’ the England manager said. ‘He scores lots of goals; he finishes everything. @Dailymail

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It’s that time of the year again. Real Madrid are out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage, and as per tradition, the transfer rumour mill has gone into hyperdrive.

From the moment the final whistle went at the Santiago Bernabeu and Lyon celebrated their progression into the quarter-finals at the expense of Los Blancos, the press already had their shopping list out, starting with the easy target, coach Manuel Pellegrini. And because Madrid wasted countless chances infront of goal against Les Gones and it cost them the tie, a new striker needed to be brought in. And because Kaka is, well… not the Kaka Madrid thought they had purchased, a new midfielder quickly became a necessity. And because nobody says no to Florentino Perez, a Franck Ribery still needed to be signed. @Goal

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France international striker Thierry Henry admitted he wanted to avoid former club Arsenal in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.

The France star spent an illustrious eight-year spell in north London, scoring a club record 226 goals for the Gunners, and made clear he wanted to face one of the other six teams.

He said: “Let’s say there is one team that I don’t want to play and that is Arsenal.

“That’s because of my affinities there and because of my love for the club. But after that you know you can never tell. @Independent

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