6 SPORT NEWS

(1) "If your name isn't on 'ere, love, you can't come in," said the black-clad men in their thick Dublin accents as they peered at their list of accredited members of the press.

I hadn't even got into the grounds of the exclusive Carton House, located only 40 minutes from Ireland's capital city, let alone reached hotel reception.

Real Madrid were clearly not taking any risks with their billboard boys - and this was no exception.

From uniformed Garda on bikes and in cars to their plain-clothed colleagues patrolling the grounds, no stone has been left unturned.

And if that was not enough, there was even a private firm on hand to help with players' welfare 24/7.

But the reward for those brave enough to get through the barricades is something money can't buy.

A glimpse, a smile, a signed shirt, or even a photograph, if you were lucky enough to get within touching distance of the most expensive footballer in history.

(2) Ancelotti '100%' sure over Terry

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has again said he expects captain John Terry to reject a move to Manchester City.

England skipper Terry, currently on tour with his club in the United States, has yet to reaffirm his loyalty to the Stamford Bridge outfit.

But Ancelotti said: "I am sure he will remain at Chelsea. I am sure, 100%. He has a contract for three years more and this is the situation now."

Man City have reportedly offered the defender, 28, a £200,000-a-week deal.

(3) Waterfield denied Worlds bronze

Peter Waterfield just missed out on winning bronze in the men’s 1m springboard on the opening day of the World Championships 2009.

The 2004 Olympic silver medallist lay in third place until the penultimate round when China's Zhang Xinhua overtook him.

Waterfield nonetheless secured the highest individual place at a World Championships by a British diver.

"If I am honest I didn't think I was going to dive that well," he said.

"It is my first competition since an operation on my shoulder and the Olympics."

There were mixed fortunes for the divers competing in the women’s 10m individual.

Tonia Couch finished seventh while Brooke Graddon took 27th place.

(4) Bolt cruises to emphatic 100m win

Olympic champion Usain Bolt obliterated the opposition to win the 100m at the Golden League meeting in Paris in a stunning time of 9.79 seconds.

Running in pouring rain and into a strong headwind, Bolt made an indifferent start but powered into the lead in the latter part of the race.

Britain's Simeon Williamson was off the pace, finishing sixth in 10.14.

His GB team-mate Phillips Idowu came through to win the triple jump with a leap of 17.17m at the Stade de France.

Idown beat the Cuban trio of Yoandris Betanzos, Alexis Copello and David Giralt, who all head him in this year's world rankings and the 30-year-old knew it was important psychological blow with the World Championships in Berlin just a few weeks away.

"I'm happy, this is my first victory in this stadium," said Idowu.

"Today winning was the most important thing. If I can win and jump well in these conditions, I will be able to do very well in Berlin.

"I know that - and they know it too."

The focus of the world's best athletes will soon shift to Berlin, and Bolt's performance served as a warning to any sprinter who believes they can challenge for the gold medal.

"It's a measure of his calibre and his status these days that many here would have gone home disappointed that he didn't break the world record," said Radio 5 Live athletics correspondent Mike Costello.

(5) Barca & Inter agree striker swap

Barcelona and Inter Milan have reached an agreement in principle to swap Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Barca forward Samuel Eto'o plus cash.

Reports suggest Barca will pay about £35m plus 28-year-old Eto'o in return for Ibrahimovic, 27.

In addition, Alex Hleb will spend a season on loan at the Italian club.

"The signing depends on Ibrahimovic, on Eto'o and all parties," said Barca president Joan Laporta, who is also keen to sign Valencia's David Villa.

"David Villa as an option is not finished. We haven't discarded any possibilities, " Laporta said on Friday.

Eto'o came close to agreeing a move to Manchester City, before the Eastlands side ended their pursuit on 10 July.

The Cameroon international has scored more than 100 goals in five seasons at the Nou Camp but has been regularly linked with moves away from the club and is out of contract next summer.

Since signing for Inter from Juventus following the Turin side's demotion to Serie B in 2006, Ibrahimovic has become one of the most prized strikers in Europe.

The Swede was top scorer in Serie A last season and has reportedly attracted attention from Real Madrid and Manchester United as well as European champions Barca.

Inter and Barcelona have done business once already this summer with Brazilian left-back Maxwell moving to Spain in a £3.9m deal.

(6) FIFA give vuvuzela green light for World Cup

South Africa football fans have been given a go ahead to use vuvuzela in the next football World Cup tournament. FIFA decision came after complaints from football commentators and players about the noise.

Vuvuzela is a plastic trumpet, coloured with South Africa flag colours, used by Bafana bafana fans in Confederation Cup finals which took place in South Africa as pilot for World Cup preparation programmes. The instrument were given for free to football fans in Confederation Cup finals.

Hans Klaus, director of communications at FIFA:
"That would mean one would have to take away the cow bells from Swiss fans and ban English fans from singing," "We approach this in a relaxed manner. I am convinced the vuvuzelas will be a hit at the World Cup. It will be a World Cup with African sound."
Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso: "I think they should be banned. They make it very difficult for the players to communicate with each other and to concentrate," he said. What do you thing about FIFA decision?