Kinnear snubs Republic

Joe Kinnear, the Luton Town manager, said he has rejected the chance to be interviewed for the Republic of Ireland manager's job. The Football Association of Ireland is set to interview candidates to succeed Mick McCarthy next week.

Kinnear said he refused the offer from the former Northern Ireland coach Bryan Hamilton, the FAI's headhunter. "He asked me if I would be interviewed along with seven or eight other people, and I said 'no'," Kinnear said. "If they don't know what I'm capable of doing, why interview me? I've done enough in my life. If they want to give me the job they can, but I don't do interviews."

The Football Association will only investigate claims of gambling among England players at the World Cup if there is any hard evidence. There have been claims that a £30,000 cheque had been written out by one losing gambler on England's flight home from the Far East.

An FA spokesman said: "If it can be proved and someone comes forward with that proof, then of course we would look at the issue very closely."