The International Rugby Board (IRB) Council announced the formation of a working group and the dedication of new finance to aid participants in the 2015 World Cup at its annual meeting in Dublin on Tuesday.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has suspended five players until an inquiry into an alleged corruption scandal is completed.

Georgia has confirmed its intention to make a bid for UEFA Euro 2020 after shelving plans to put forward a co-hosting model with Azerbaijan.

Prestige Ticketing, the official provider of corporate hospitality packages for the London 2012 Olympic Games, has sold more than 80% of its 88,000 packages with just over two months to go before the start of the event.

SportAccord Convention has announced that the UK’s Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson, will speak at the 10th annual edition of the event in Québec City next week.

The London Legacy Development Corporation has announced an extension of the bidding process for the future tenancy of the 2012 Olympic Stadium in an effort to address a “number of issues”.

Ottawa has signalled its intention to become a major player in the sports hosting market by forming a new team dedicated to attracting national and international sports events and congresses to Canada’s capital city.

Dublin has secured the right to host the 2013 Heineken Cup final, the showpiece game of European club rugby union.

Euroleague Basketball has announced that London’s O2 Arena will host the 2013 edition of its showpiece Final Four event.

Formula One’s commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that Spain will lose one of its grand prix race dates from next year under a new arrangement that will allow Barcelona and Valencia set to share hosting duties.