Real Madrid overtakes Manchester United
February 15, 2006Real Madrid has supplanted Manchester United as the world's richest soccer club. Madrid overtook the Red Devils for the first time at the top of the "Football Money League," an independent report released by accountancy firm Deloitte on Thursday.
UC: AS Roma snatches win over Brugge
February 15, 2006Simone Perrotta scored the winner in the 74th minute to AS Roma over Club Brugge 2-1 in the first leg of UEFA Cup play on Wednesday. The Roma midfielder capitalized on a corner kick and shot it over Brugge goalkeeper Tomislav Butina. The other two goals in the game were scored by Brugge. Defender Gunther Van Audenaerde headed the ball into his own net in the 44th after trying to deflect a Roma pass.
UEFA Cup Roundup, Feb. 15
February 15, 2006UEFA Cup Wrap: AS Roma survived the first-half ejection of Daniele De Rossi to win 2-1 at FC Brugge and Udinese outplayed Lens 3-0 on a great night for Italian clubs on the resumption of the UEFA Cup on Wednesday.
UEFA Cup gallery, Feb. 15
February 15, 2006
Blackburn 2 Sunderland 0
February 15, 2006EPL: Craig Bellamy struck twice as Blackburn got their European bid back on track at the expense of Barclays Premiership bottom side Sunderland. The Welshman scored in each half at Ewood Park to lift Rovers up to seventh in the table.
CTL: Cerro Porteno 0, Palmeiras 0
February 15, 2006Copa Libertadores: Host side Cerro Porteno battled to a scoreless draw against Brazil's Palmeiras in a Copa Libertadores Group 7 match on Wednesday. Atletico Nacional of Colombia still led the group on three points.
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Marseille: Frustration
February 15, 2006Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Marseille: Frustration
by Europe
Blackburn 2-0 Sunderland: Bellamy brace
February 15, 2006Blackburn 2-0 Sunderland: Bellamy brace
by England
Udinese 3-0 Lens: Sensini masterminds first win
February 15, 2006Udinese 3-0 Lens: Sensini masterminds first win
by Europe
Lille 3-2 Shakhtar Donetsk: Away goals boost
February 15, 2006Lille 3-2 Shakhtar Donetsk: Away goals boost
by Europe
Hertha Berlin 0-1 Rapid Bucuresti: Two sent off
February 15, 2006Hertha Berlin 0-1 Rapid Bucuresti: Two sent off
by Europe
Schalke 04 2-1 Espanyol: Woodwork to rescue
February 15, 2006Schalke 04 2-1 Espanyol: Woodwork to rescue
by Europe
Real Betis 2-0 AZ Alkmaar: Brazilians deliver
February 15, 2006Real Betis 2-0 AZ Alkmaar: Brazilians deliver
by Europe
Lippi: My pal Eriksson still happy with England
February 15, 2006Lippi: My pal Eriksson still happy with England
by England
Blues star contrite Butt still gets £80,000 fine
February 15, 2006Out of pocket Butt says sorry
by England
Real Madrid overtakes Manchester United as world's richest soccer club (AP)
February 15, 2006Real Madrid has knocked off Manchester United as the world's richest soccer club. Madrid overtook the Red Devils for the first time at the top of the "Football Money League," an independent report released Thursday by the Deloitte accounting firm. United had been ranked No. 1 since the report began nine seasons ago.
French quintet out of tune in UEFA Cup (AFP)
February 15, 2006France's quintet of UEFA Cup challengers suffered a myriad of fortunes in the last 32 first leg clashes.
Partick beat Inverness in Scottish Cup shootout (Reuters)
February 15, 2006(adds details)
Ten-man Roma win again, Udinese thump Lens (Reuters)
February 15, 2006By Justin Palmer
Bellamy double does for Sunderland (AFP)
February 15, 2006Craig Bellamy scored twice as Blackburn Rovers beat bottom-of-the table Sunderland 2-0 at Ewood Park to move up into seventh place in the English Premiership.
Brazilians deliver 2-0 win for Betis over AZ Alkmaar (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Brazilian strikers Diego Tardelli and Robert struck in the second half to give Real Betis a 2-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the opening leg of their UEFA Cup first knockout round tie on Wednesday.
Penafiel's Roberto suspended for doping (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Penafiel's Brazilian striker Roberto Ballesteros has been tenporarily suspended after testing positive for the banned stimulant sultanol, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
U.S. moves up another spot in FIFA rankings
February 15, 2006The United States moved up one place and into a three-way tie for sixth in FIFA's rankings released Wednesday. Brazil maintained the top spot it has held since July 2002, a month after it won its record fifth World Cup.
Cafu optimistic on recovery from knee surgery
February 15, 2006Brazil captain Cafu said Wednesday he expected a quick recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The defender, a veteran of the past three World Cup finals, will undergo surgery Thursday at the Pasteur Hospital in Rio de Janeiro. "I should be playing again in 25 days," Cafu told Globo TV. "I'm not worried, it's a simple surgery. I'll definitely recover in time for the World Cup." Cafu suffered ligament damage on his knee while training with AC Milan last week.
Burnley fan charged with racist gestures
February 15, 2006A Burnley fan has been charged with racially abusing black former England player Paul Ince, police said Wednesday. George Jackson, 44, is to appear at Burnley Magistrates Court on Feb. 22. Lancashire Police said the charged relates to an incident at Tuesday's League Championship game at Turf Moor, which Wolves won 1-0 thanks to Ince's 15th minute goal for the visitor. Jackson faces a racially aggravated public order charge.
Liverpool's Dudek included for U.S. friendly
February 15, 2006Liverpool's Jerzy Dudek was named among four goalkeepers for Poland's March 1 friendly against the United States. Dudek was picked by coach Pawel Janas along with Artur Boruc, Wojciech Kowalewski and Tomasz Kuszczak. Only three are expected to be included in the squad for the World Cup starting June 9. "Janas has little time to check their form before the World Cup so he wants to take a close look at them in these friendly and sparring matches," team spokesman Michal Kocieba said Wednesday.
More World Cup tickets go on sale
February 15, 2006The latest batch of World Cup tickets went on sale Wednesday on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tickets - the first not distributed by lottery - will be awarded to those placing orders fastest before the April 15 deadline.
Ranieri declares interest in vacant Magpies job
February 15, 2006Ranieri declares Newcastle interest
by England
Angel happy to commit himself to Aston Villa
February 15, 2006Angel happy to commit himself to Aston Villa
by England
UEFA Cup: Two sent off as Hertha lose to Rapid
February 15, 2006Two sent off as Hertha lose to Bucharest
by Europe
Pompey agree to pay off long gone Silva
February 15, 2006Pompey pay off long gone Silva
by England
Zidane keeps fans guessing about retirement
February 15, 2006Zidane keeps fans guessing
by Europe
Chelsea duo challenge Eto'o for African player award
February 15, 2006Eto'o's hat-trick threatened
by Global
Five-year ban for Ajax fans at ADO Den Haag
February 15, 2006Five-year ban for Ajax fans at ADO Den Haag
by England
Uncapped duo in Croatia squad for Argentina friendly (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Croatian coach Zlatko Kranjcar has called up two uncapped players for next month's international friendly against Argentina in Basel, Switzerland, state news agency Hina said on Wednesday.
Zidane confirms imminent swansong (AFP)
February 15, 2006France captain Zinedine Zidane confirmed on his internet site that he will end his sparkling career in the next 18 months, but first he wants to win the World Cup.
Two sent off as Hertha lose 1-0 to Rapid Bucharest (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Hertha Berlin had two players sent off as they went down 1-0 to Rapid Bucharest at the Olympic Stadium in their UEFA Cup first knockout round tie on Wednesday.
Spanish designate Real match with Arsenal "high risk" (AFP)
February 15, 2006Real Madrid's Champions League last 16 meeting with Arsenal next week has been designated "high risk," Spain's national anti-violence commission, an offshoot of the interior ministry, said.
Maccabi Haifa to meet Ashdod SC in Toto Cup fina (Reuters)
February 15, 2006(Adds result of second semi-final)
Canada's De Guzman upset by racial abuse at Betis (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Deportivo Coruna's Julian De Guzman was surprised and upset to be racially abused by Real Betis supporters at Sunday's Primera Liga match and has called for such incidents to be eradicated from the game.
Gentenaar to make rapid Dutch return (AFP)
February 15, 2006Netherlands goalkeeper Dennis Gentenaar will return to his homeland in the close season after signing a pre-contract agreement with Ajax, the club announced.
Five-year ban for away fans in ADO versus Ajax fixtures (Reuters)
February 15, 2006By Theo Ruizenaar
Ruud pledges future to United
February 15, 2006Ruud van Nistelrooy insists he is committed to Manchester United, despite being linked with a move to Italian giants AC Milan. There have been rumours circulating in Italy that if Marco van Basten be installed at Milan the United striker will move to the San Siro.
EPL Action, Feb. 14
February 15, 2006
UC: Stuttgart vs. Middlesbrough
February 15, 2006Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka will again be missing from the squad for Thursday night's UEFA Cup clash with Stuttgart in Germany through illness.
Dutch court: government must review immigration
February 15, 2006The Netherlands' immigration minister must reconsider the naturalization request of Feyenoord striker Salomon Kalou, a high court ruled Wednesday.
Hoops hurrah for Shearer
February 15, 2006Newcastle captain Alan Shearer will celebrate a decade of distinguished service to his home-town club with a testimonial against Scottish giants Celtic in May.
Blues: Butt been dealt with
February 15, 2006Birmingham midfielder Nicky Butt met with manager Steve Bruce on Wednesday after being fined for walking out on the team prior to Monday's defeat at West Ham.
Figo predicts three Ronaldos will shine at World Cup (AFP)
February 15, 2006Portugal star Luis Figo predicts the three Ronaldos -- Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Barcelona's Ronaldinho -- will shine at the World Cup in Germany later this year.
Forlan remains upbeat despite scoring drought (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Villarreal striker Diego Forlan is remaining philosophical about his recent failure to find the net and believes past experience will help him overcome the problem.
African Footballer of the Year winners (Reuters)
February 15, 2006List of previous African Footballer of the Year award winners:
Chelsea duo challenge Eto'o for African player award (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Michael Essien stand between Samuel Eto'o and a record-equalling third African footballer of the year title when the 2005 award is announced in Abuja, Nigeria on Thursday.
Everton apply for Intertoto Cup place (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Everton have applied for a place in next season's Intertoto Cup.
Manzano returns to Mallorca to succeed Cuper (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Gregorio Manzano has succeeded Hector Cuper as coach of bottom club Real Mallorca.
Shearer lines up Celtic testimonial (AFP)
February 15, 2006Alan Shearer will mark a decade of service to Newcastle with a testimonial against Celtic in May.
Defeat means Arsenal need to repeat Liverpool's 2005 feat (Reuters)
February 15, 2006By Rex Gowar
Eto'o says I don't want to go to Chelsea
February 15, 2006Eto'o rules out move to Chelsea
by England
Pearce insists it's good to talk with Barton
February 15, 2006Pearce set for more Barton talks
by England
Hughes wary of the curse of the returning player
February 15, 2006Stead still a threat insists Hughes
by England
Robertson succeeds Lambert as Livi manager
February 15, 2006Robertson named Livingston boss
by Europe
South Africa to spend $810m on 2010 World Cup
February 15, 2006South Africa to spend big
by World Cup
I'll decide when I stay or go insists Ballack
February 15, 2006'I'll be the one to decide'
by Europe
Manzano returns to Mallorca to succeed Cuper
February 15, 2006Manzano returns to Mallorca
by Europe
Donovan in position for 'great World Cup'
February 15, 2006World Cup: U.S. coach Bruce Arena has occasionally criticized Landon Donovan, trying to motivate the young soccer star to become a better player. On Tuesday, Arena had nothing but praise for Donovan.
CTL: Velez Sarsfield beats Rocha 3-0
February 15, 2006Velez Sarsfield trounced Uruguay's Rocha FC 3-0 on Tuesday for the Argentine host's second straight victory in Group 5 of the Copa Libertadores on Tuesday. Midfielder Emanuel Centurion scored in the 34th with powerful ground shot, Leandro Gracian added a 74th-minute penalty kick, and forward Lucas Castroman dumped in a powerful right-footer in the 85th at Jose Amalfitani Stadium.
Blues star contrite Butt still gets £80,000 fine
February 15, 2006Out of pocket Butt says sorry
by England
Battling Real go down fighting in Spanish Cup
February 15, 2006Battling Real go down fighting in Spanish Cup
by Europe
Pompey fans want Redknapp out admits Mandaric
February 15, 2006Text-pests vent their fury at Redknapp
by England
Wenger concedes a top two finish is beyond Arsenal
February 15, 2006Wenger admits Arsenal playing for fourth
by England
Inter striker Recoba to miss Ajax clash (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Inter Milan striker Alvaro Recoba will miss next week's Champions League match against Ajax Amsterdam after hurting his thigh in training, the Serie A club said on their website.
Arena says Donovan in position for `great World Cup' (AP)
February 15, 2006Bruce Arena has occasionally criticized Landon Donovan, trying to motivate the young soccer star to become a better player. On Tuesday, the U.S. coach had nothing but praise for Donovan. "I think he just had an outstanding five or six weeks with us," Arena said. "He's rekindled his desire to be a real player, and I think he's positioning himself to have a great World Cup." The United States has...