Newslines: Africa to get 2010 World Cup

An African country is to host the 2010 World Cup following a decision by the sport's world governing body. FIFA's executive committee decided in Switzerland yesterday to award the tournament to a continent without allowing other continents to bid. "Everyone is agreed it should be in Africa," said David Will, a member of the executive committee which met in Zurich. "I can't see it being given to another continent."

European soccer boss Lennart Johannson said the executive committee was in full agreement with the decision. "It must go to Africa," he said. South Africa lost the 2006 World Cup vote to Germany by a single vote in a bitter campaign.

Will stressed that the decision did not mean South Africa would automatically be given the competition. "The decision was to give it to the continent - not a country," he stressed. However, FIFA sources said that South Africa would be the frontrunner

Celtic's Stilian Petrov, after he was carried off in Wednesday night's win over St Johnstone, will miss the first three months of next season after sustaining an almost identical leg break to that of Henrik Larsson last season. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill said the Bulgarian international midfielder's season was over and now he faces a lengthy and gruelling spell on the sidelines. "The doctors need to have another look at him to see what's the best thing to do with him - but he'll be out for quite some time."

Jim Jefferies' ongoing bid to "save money" at relegation-haunted Bradford prompted David Hopkin's shock £1.5 million return to Crystal Palace yesterday. Hopkin is the seventh player to leave Valley Parade in the last few weeks as Jefferies continues to cut a swathe through his squad in preparation for life in the first division next season.

Fears were mounting for the health of George Best last night when he pulled out of an Old Trafford charity dinner, held in his honour, due to illness. Best was due to be the star guest at the Liver Research Trust event. but United officials got word at 6 p.m. from Best's agent Alan Platt that the former player was ill with liver problems in Ireland.