German prosecutors investigating corruption in football say 15 people in Germany and two in Switzerland have been arrested and that about 200 games in Europe ─ including Champions League ties ─ are involved in what an UEFA official called the biggest match-fixing scandal in Europe.

Soccer's world governing body FIFA has confirmed that the controversial France vs. Ireland World Cup playoff will not be replayed.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy apologized to Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen for France's controversial victory over Ireland in their World Cup play-off on Wednesday, but would not agree to a replay.

Police in Germany and abroad have made several arrests and conducted searches on suspicion of an international illegal betting ring allegedly fixing matches in top European leagues, Bochum prosecutors said on Thursday.

United States and L.A. Galaxy striker Landon Donovan has been named Most Valuable Player in Major League Soccer, the league said on Thursday.

Ireland appealed to France and football authorities Thursday to replay their World Cup playoff in Paris after an obvious handball by Thierry Henry produced the winning goal.

France qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup when officials missed a double handball by captain Thierry Henry that led to the extra-time goal in a 1-1 draw with Ireland on Wednesday.

Honduras' celebration of their World Cup qualification ended in disappointment with an own goal and a 2-1 defeat to Peru in a friendly on Wednesday.

Former Manchester United star and Danish international Jesper Olsen has signed on as an assistant coach with Australia's newest A-League team, officials said Wednesday.

David Beckham, booed on his return to the United States, has silenced his critics by helping the L.A Galaxy to the MLS Cup final, his coach Bruce Arena said on Tuesday.