ONE of the world’s most popular new sports comes to Wirral next month.

Wirral Council, Cheshire Football Association and Tranmere Victoria Futsal Club have formed a partnership which will see the launch of a new indoor men’s Futsal league at Bebington Oval.

Futsal is a FIFA, UEFA and FA-approved five-a-side variation of football played indoors with an emphasis on technique and creativity which has exploded worldwide in recent years.

The sport contributed to the development of global stars like Messi and Ronaldo, who honed their abilities playing Futsal.

Councillor Chris Meaden, cabinet member for leisure, said: "This is an opportunity to showcase out top quality facility at the Oval for football development that has not previously been offered before within Wirral.”

Adam Panter, senior football development officer with Cheshire FA, said: “The game is taking the world by storm at the moment and I am sure that once people start playing, they will be hooked.”

Matches in the new league will take place on Sundays, from 3pm to 6pm.

Players must be aged 16 and over and while the game is five-a-side, teams can use a maximum of ten players per fixture.

Cost per team is £30 per fixture and will be fully insured with FA-registered Futsal referees.

The first games will be played on Sunday, June 28.