LONDON - FORMER England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has revealed his heart stopped beating three times while in rehab and that he also came close to committing suicide during his battle with depression and alcoholism.

Gascoigne, who will be 42 in May, told Sky News on Monday how last year's rumours that he had died were closer to the truth than many realised.

LONDON - THE bids are pouring into Fifa from countries who want to stage either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, and some are convinced they can't do it alone.

Despite strong statements from Fifa president Sepp Blatter that co-hosting is out, Spain and Portugal are teaming up and so are the Netherlands and Belgium.

JEREZ (Spain) - RENAULT'S Fernando Alonso ended Brawn GP's recent Formula One testing dominance on Monday by setting the fastest lap.

Alonso edged Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello by 0.055 seconds with a quickest lap of 1 minute, 18.343 seconds around the Jerez Circuit, where only four teams are performing final tests before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29.