SOCCER: European champions Spain remained top of the latest Fifa world rankings while Giovanni Trapttoni's Republic of Ireland side climbed one place to 37th.
In what has been a quiet month for international football, and very few top sides in action, the top 14 places were unchanged. It means Spain stretched their spell at the top to a seventh month with Germany and Netherlands second and third respectively.
Ireland were last in action against Poland when they lost a friendly 3-2 at Croke Park in November. It was also the first defeat under Trapattoni. However, they still climbed one place after Ecuador dropped three places.
World champions Italy are fourth and ahead of Brazil and Argentina who are fifth and sixth respectively. England remain in eighth place.
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales remain unchanged in 33rd, 52nd and 60th respectively.
Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifying rivals Bulgaria dropped one place to 28th, while Cyprus remain in 94th.
Fifa Rankings (previous positions in brackets)
1. (1) Spain
2. (2) Germany
3. (3) Netherlands
4. (4) Italy
5. (5) Brazil
6. (6) Argentina
7. (7) Croatia
8. (8) England
9. (9) Russia
10. (10) Turkey
11= (11) France
11= (11) Portugal
11= (11) Czech Republic
14. (14) Cameroon
15. (16) Egypt
16. (15) Ukraine
17. (19) Nigeria
18. (17) Paraguay
19. (18) Israel
20. (20) Greece
Selected others:
33. Scotland
37. Republic of Ireland
52. Northern Ireland
60. Wales
