'Wigan will have nerves but no fear at all'

February 24, 2006

Britain's best pundit says we could have a cracker on our hands this Sunday as Wigan will not be cowed into shutting up shop against Man United. And he also says the likes of Paul Jewell should get the big jobs...

Al-Hadary the hero again as Ahly lift African Super Cup (AFP)

February 24, 2006

Goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary was once again the hero of Egypt as Al-Ahly lifted the African Super Cup with a penalty shootout triumph over FAR Rabat.

Romanian agent's licence revoked, Popescu fined $40,000 (Reuters)

February 24, 2006

The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has revoked the licence of agent Ioan Becali and fined former Romania captain Gheorghe Popescu $40,000 for their involvement in an illegal transfer.

Soccer-Mexico pick uncapped striker Landin for Ghana friendly (Reuters)

February 24, 2006

In MEXICO CITY story headlined "Soccer-Mexico pick uncapped strikers to face Ghana" please read headline as: "Soccer-Mexico pick uncapped striker Landin for Ghana friendly".

Pontus succeeds Baidachny as Belarus coach (Reuters)

February 24, 2006

Yuri Pontus, sacked as Belarus under-21 coach in December after a string of poor results, was promoted to take over the senior national team on Friday.

Paraguay captain Gamarra to miss Wales game with injury (Reuters)

February 24, 2006

Paraguay captain Carlos Gamarra will miss his country's World Cup warm-up friendly against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium next Wednesday because of injury.

Kahn out of Germany squad for Italy game

February 24, 2006

Kahn out of Germany squad for Italy game

by Global

Maradona proclaims Messi as his successor

February 24, 2006

Maradona proclaims Messi as his successor

by Global

German state to enforce condom use in brothels during World Cup (AFP)

February 24, 2006

Health authorities in Germany's southern state of Bavaria have said they will put up signs in brothels during the 2006 World Cup to remind clients of a local law obliging them to use condoms.

Egypt's Al Hadari the hero again as Al Ahli win Super Cup (Reuters)

February 24, 2006

Egypt's Essam Al Hadari again saved two penalties in a shootout just a fortnight after his heroics in the African Nations Cup final as Al Ahli beat Royal Armed Forces to win the African Super Cup on Friday.

Whelan's cup final dream could come true

February 24, 2006

Carling Cup final: The prospect of Wigan Athletic playing Manchester United in a cup final would have sounded fictitious three years ago. But thanks to multimillionaire owner Dave Whelan, Sunday's League Cup showdown at the Millennium Stadium is not only a reality - it could also become a regular event.

Gerrard back to boost Reds

February 24, 2006

Steven Gerrard will return to his favoured central midfield role to galvanise Liverpool's final months of a frantic season.

Liverpool vs. Manchester City

February 24, 2006

Liverpool will be without eye injury victim Mohamed Sissoko and the suspended Jamie Carragher for Sunday's Premiership clash with Manchester City at Anfield.

Todd Dunivant sidelined with hip injury

February 24, 2006

Los Angeles Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant has a strained left hip flexor that will keep him from going to Germany for the U.S. national team's exhibition game against Poland on Wednesday.

Hofs picked by Netherlands for the first time

February 24, 2006

Nicky Hofs was picked by the Netherlands for the first time Friday ahead of the country's World Cup warmup against Ecuador.

Beckenbauer predicts trouble-free World Cup

February 24, 2006

"I don't see any problems," Beckenbauer said on Thursday. "Our security people in Germany, they have a very, very good relationship to the English, to the Polish, to the Dutch, so I trust them. They are telling us, 'Don't worry. We have everything under control."'

Jewell dismissive of Newcastle job link

February 24, 2006

Jewell dismissive of Newcastle job link

by England

Blues basement battle

February 24, 2006

Blues basement battle

by England

Eriksson will not gamble on Campbell

February 24, 2006

Eriksson will not gamble on Campbell

by World Cup

Worns will not be picked for World Cup says Klinsmann (AFP)

February 24, 2006

Dortmund's veteran international defender Christian Worns will not be selected for this summer's World Cup finals, Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, reacting to criticism from the player.

Ferguson allays Smith career fear (AFP)

February 24, 2006

Alan Smith, who underwent surgery Monday on the horror injury he suffered in Manchester United's FA Cup loss to Liverpool, could be back in action for the start of next season.

Eriksson admits injuries fear (AFP)

February 24, 2006

Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted he feels scared every time one of his England players hits the ground and said injuries pose the biggest threat to the country's World Cup hopes in Germany.

Fixture pile-up for Cup rivals (AFP)

February 24, 2006

The winners of the FA Cup fifth-round replay between West Ham and Bolton will have to play three matches in six days after it was confirmed the quarter-finals will be played on consecutive midweek nights next month.

Porto's Emanuel eyeing Angola World Cup squad (AFP)

February 24, 2006

Portuguese side Porto's Angolan-born defender Pedro Emanuel, who is unlikely to make Portugal's World Cup squad, has said he welcomed an invitation to play for Angola during the finals in Germany later this year.

Arsenal's Cesc gets Spanish call-up (AFP)

February 24, 2006

Arsenal's teenage midfielder Cesc Fabregas earned a first call up to the full Spanish squad from Spanish coach Luis Aragones for a March 1 friendly with Ivory Coast.

Villa agree on Delaney stay

February 24, 2006

Aston Villa have decided to take up the one-year option on defender Mark Delaney's contract this summer.

Hughes hopes break will help

February 24, 2006

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is hoping a sunshine break in Dubai will help his side add to Arsenal's domestic gloom.

Chelsea vow to punish fans over ref threats (AFP)

February 24, 2006

Terje Hauge, the Norwegian referee who handled Chelsea's Champions League defeat by Barcelona, has been the subject of abusive messages posted on the London club's offical internet messageboard.

Sven leaves door open for fringe players

February 24, 2006

Sven leaves door open for fringe players

by World Cup

Roeder closes door on early Owen return

February 24, 2006

Roeder closes door on early Owen return

by England

Rio can't face another potless season

February 24, 2006

Rio can't face another potless season

by England

Real chief Perez: Henry will stay at Arsenal

February 24, 2006

Real chief Perez: Henry will stay at Arsenal

by Europe

Gunners reveal health interim finance report

February 24, 2006

Gunners reveal health interim finance report

by England

Cole won't rush return to Gunners line-up

February 24, 2006

Cole won't rush return to Gunners line-up

by England

England in Euro 2008 fixture impasse

February 24, 2006

England in Euro 2008 fixture impasse

by Euro 2008

Jewell dismissive of Newcastle job link

February 24, 2006

Jewell dismissive of Newcastle job link

by England

Winner of Bolton-Hammers will end up tired

February 24, 2006

Winner of Bolton-Hammers will end up tired

by England

Villa take up one-year option on Delaney

February 24, 2006

Villa take up one-year option on Delaney

by England

Spain call Fabregas, Senna, drop Del Horno

February 24, 2006

Spain call Fabregas, Senna, drop Del Horno

by World Cup

La Liga: Valencia hoping for Barca, Real slip

February 24, 2006

La Liga: Valencia hoping for Barca, Real slip

by Europe

Serie A: Roma begin life without Totti

February 24, 2006

Serie A: Roma begin life without Totti

by Europe

Bundesliga: Bayern hope to arrest slide

February 24, 2006

Bundesliga: Bayern hope to arrest slide

by Europe

CCC: Galaxy and Saprissa draw 0-0

February 24, 2006

Champions' Cup: Costa Rican champion Deportivo Saprissa and the Los Angeles Galaxy played to a 0-0 draw Thursday in the first game of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinals. The Galaxy lost a chance to win when defender Jervis Drummond cleared Landon Donovan's potential winning shot just short of the goal line.

Blues slam Hauge death threats

February 24, 2006

Chelsea have condemned death threats made towards referee Terje Hauge on fans' forums in the wake of Wednesday's controversial Champions League clash with Barcelona.

McClaren looks forward to Roma

February 24, 2006

Delighted Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren was on Thursday night looking forward to a dream UEFA Cup clash with Italian giants Roma after seeing his side edge past Stuttgart.

Galaxy 0, Deportivo Saprissa 0 (AP)

February 24, 2006

Costa Rican champion Deportivo Saprissa and the Los Angeles Galaxy played to a 0-0 tie in the first game of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinals Thursday night. The Galaxy lost a chance to win when defender Jervis Drummond, who played for Costa Rica in the 2002 World Cup, cleared Landon Donovan's potential winning shot just short of the goal line in the 57th minute.

Back in New York, Beckenbauer predicts trouble-free World Cup (AP)

February 24, 2006

Back in the city where he helped sell soccer to America with the Cosmos more than a quarter-century ago, Franz Beckenbauer predicted a World Cup free of fan trouble. "I don't see any problems," he said Thursday night. "Our security people in Germany, they have a very, very good relationship to the English, to the Polish, to the Dutch, so I trust them.

Dong hopes China displays will take him to Old Trafford (Reuters)

February 24, 2006

China striker Dong Fangzhuo hopes a superb display for his country will help him earn a British work permit and a place in the Manchester United squad.

Rio can't face another potless season

February 24, 2006

Rio can't face another potless season

by England

Chelsea fans issue internet death threats to ref

February 24, 2006

Chelsea fans issue internet death threats to ref

by England

Parry - Too early to make call on Sissoko vision

February 24, 2006

Parry - Too early to make call on Sissoko

by England

UC: Boro advances to last 16

February 24, 2006

UEFA Cup: Middlesbrough limped into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup after surviving a major scare at the hands of Stuttgart. In the end, the home supporters at the Riverside stadium went home satisfied with the outcome, if not particularly with the performance.

CTL: Internacional beats Nacional 3-0

February 24, 2006

Copa Libertadores: Brazil's Internacional trounced Uruguay's Nacional 3-0 for the first time in the Copa Libertadores on Thursday. Among Internacional's previous defeats to the Uruguayans was the 1980 final, the second of Nacional's three Copa titles.