FOOTBALL: Franck Ribery has likened his World Cup absence to “a death in the soul.”

A back problem saw the Bayern Munich star withdrawn from the squad yesterday along with Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier. Montpellier’s Remy Cabella and Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin will replace the pair.

He said: “It is like a death in the soul that I am forced to leave the France team and give up on the World Cup.”

OLYMPICS: Sebastian Coe has insisted it would be “impossible” for London to step in as 2016 Olympic hosts should the delays affecting the preparations for Rio de Janeiro prove insurmountable.

He said: “This is a massive, massive undertaking but Rio will get there.

“It would be impossible for London with just over two years’ notice to say let’s bring it all back. That’s not going to happen.”

FOOTBALL: The board of the Football League backed Greg Dyke’s call for the 2022 World Cup vote to be re-run if corruption is proved.

Football League chairman Greg Clarke said: “The board offered its support to the views expressed by the FA chairman on the matter, namely that the process should be re-run if the allegations are ultimately proven to be true.”

Uefa president Michel Platini is also in support.

FORMULA ONE: Fernando Alonso edged ahead of Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg after the first practice of the Canadian Grand Prix yesterday to offer Ferrari a glimmer of hope of success this weekend.

Despite Mercedes’ domination of the current campaign, with the team aiming for a new Formula One record of six consecutive one-twos, it was not the first time Alonso has led the way in practice this year.