NEED TO CATCH up? TheScore.ie brings you a round-up of today’s sports news…

Tour de France crowds in the village of Finchingfield in north Essex. Nick Ansell Nick Ansell

World Cup

Thankfully, the football is back tomorrow with the first of the semi-finals as hosts Brazil take on Germany in Belo Horizonte at 9pm. Ahead of that game:

• Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez was appointed to take charge of the clash.
• Brazil called on FIFA to scrap the yellow card that will keep captain Thiago Silva out of the encounter.

PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

• Mikey Stafford checked in from Rio, where protests at the cost of the World Cup have been ongoing.
• And Roy Keane gave a typically honest review of England’s performances in Brazil.

Home

• Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald labelled the rule that saw Podge Collins sent off on Saturday ‘a joke’.
• Ireland international Steven Reid joined Premier League new boys Burnley on a free transfer.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

• Kerry boss Eamon Fitzmaurice called star forward James O’Donoghue a ‘freak of nature’ after his comeback from a shoulder injury.
• Graeme McDowell admitted to having had two glasses of wine midway through his ultimately successful French Open campaign.

Away

• Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano died at the age of 88.
• Barcelona refused to confirm reports that a €78 million deal has been agreed to sign Luis Suarez.
• Marcel Kittel won the third stage of the Tour de France.

PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

• Manchester United revealed their new home kit, with new sponsor Chevrolet’s logo across the front.
• Ashley Cole jetted off to Rome to be welcomed by Serie A club Roma, and sign for them.

The best thing we shared

Quite probably the strangest reaction to a red card you’re likely to see. Alhaji Kamara was clearly angry with himself after being sent off in the Swedish League.

On the record

I’ve always said the France team must be the priority. Reading our current results makes me scream … we have become the Spain of rugby!

Former France head coach Bernard Laporte bemoans les Bleus’ difficulties and points the finger at Philippe Saint-André in the process. We’re just relieved to have Joe Schmidt in charge of Ireland.

The fixture list

• The World Cup returns with the eagerly-anticipated Brazil v Germany clash in Belo Horizonte. Kick-off is at 9pm.
• The Tour de France moves on to home soil for stage four, a 163.5km ride from Le Touquet-Paris-Plage to Lille Métropole.

Showbiz, Baby!

We’ve seen an unusual reaction to a red card already, but here’s a unique goal celebration from the MLS. Dom Dwyer of Sporting Kansas City scored, ran to a photographer, snapped a selfie and promptly got booked by Irish ref Alan Kelly.