Racist chants tarnishes Barca win; Real loses stunner (SportsTicker)
February 27, 2006ZARAGOZA, Spain (Ticker) - Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o stayed on the field long enough to help Barcelona post a 2-0 victory thanks to Ronaldinho's penalty and Henrik Larsson's second goal, set up by Eto'o.
World Cup work still to do with 100 days left (Reuters)
February 27, 2006By Kevin Fylan
PREVIEW-Soccer-Last call for England's flight to Germany (Reuters)
February 27, 2006By Trevor Huggins
PREVIEW-Soccer-Africa's World Cup teams aim to get back on track (Reuters)
February 27, 2006By Mark Gleeson
PREVIEW-Soccer-Brazil without Ronaldinho for Russia friendly (Reuters)
February 27, 2006World champions Brazil have opted not to risk injured World Player of the Year Ronaldinho in Wednesday's friendly against Russia.
PREVIEW-Soccer-Sweden a tough first test for new coach Staunton (Reuters)
February 27, 2006By Jodie Ginsberg
England gets closer to deciding successor
February 27, 2006England is one step closer to finding a successor for coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after the Football Association decided Monday what it wants in a replacement. Chief executive Brian Barwick and the FA board met to approve the terms of reference for the England head coach position. How the selection process will be handled, who will be involved and the length of the contract were all discussed. But no shortlist of potential candidates was drawn up and no names were mentioned.
Spain tests its mettle against Africans
February 27, 2006Spain aims to boost its World Cup preparations by beating fellow qualifier Ivory Coast in a friendly on Wednesday. The match at Valladolid's Jose Zorrilla stadium is the first for coach Luis Aragones' team since it eliminated Slovakia in the playoffs in November to reach the finals for an eighth straight time.
Maradona: Brazil most likely to win WC
February 27, 2006Diego Maradona said Sunday that Brazil has the greatest chances to win the World Cup in Germany. "Brazil is the most prepared team ... it has a top coach and its players are already used to winning," the former Argentine star said in an interview.
Perez quits as Real Madrid president (Reuters)
February 27, 2006(adds quotes, background)
Robinson criticises media over Eriksson 'stitch up' (Reuters)
February 27, 2006By Trevor Huggins
Real Madrid president Perez resigns: official (AFP)
February 27, 2006Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has resigned, the Spanish first division club confirmed.
Florentino Perez factbox (Reuters)
February 27, 2006Factbox on Florentino Perez, who resigned as president of Real Madrid on Monday:
Sweden's Ljungberg ruled out of Ireland friendly (Reuters)
February 27, 2006Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg will miss Sweden's World Cup warm-up friendly with Ireland because of a calf injury, national team doctor Magnus Forssblad said on Monday.
Perez resigns as Real Madrid president (Reuters)
February 27, 2006Florentino Perez resigned as Real Madrid president on Monday, a day after his side lost 2-1 to struggling Real Mallorca and with his club facing the prospect of a third successive season without a major trophy.
Four pull out of Denmark squad for Israel game (Reuters)
February 27, 2006(Changes dateline, updates with arrival in Israel)
No all capital final after Scottish Cup draw (AFP)
February 27, 2006Hopes of an all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup Final were dashed when capital rivals Hibernian and Hearts were paired together in the semi-final draw.
Gunner Cole rocked by new injury blow
February 27, 2006Gunner Cole rocked by new injury blow
by England
Galactico king Perez quits Real Madrid
February 27, 2006Galactico king Perez quits Real Madrid
by Europe
Del Horno escapes with one-game ban
February 27, 2006Del Horno escapes with one-game ban
by UEFA Champions League
Injured Gallas set to miss Slovakia friendly
February 27, 2006Injured Gallas set to miss Slovakia friendly
by World Cup
Take That! Robbie to bail out the Vale?
February 27, 2006Take That! Robbie to bail out the Vale?
by England
Owen eyes FA Cup return against Chelsea
February 27, 2006Owen eyes FA Cup return against Chelsea
by England
Carvalho, Tiago out of Portugal friendly
February 27, 2006Carvalho, Tiago out of Portugal friendly
by World Cup
Nyatanga to supplant Giggs' Welsh record
February 27, 2006Nyatanga to supplant Giggs' Welsh record
by Europe
Lippi leads roster deadline charge
February 27, 2006An injured Francesco Totti may return to action only days before Italy's roster for the World Cup is due and coach Marcello Lippi wants FIFA to extend the deadline. Netherlands coach Marco van Basten and Germany's Juergen Klinsmann also want the deadline pushed back to late May. "We will ask FIFA to move back the May 15 deadline. There is already agreement with Van Basten, and Klinsmann agrees too," Lippi said. Totti is out for up to three months following surgery on his left leg.
Rafa: Give Morientes time
February 27, 2006Rafael Benitez believes playing Fernando Morientes on the pitch is the only way to help the striker out of his barren spell.
Liverpool 1 Manchester City 0
February 27, 2006Liverpool made heavy weather of beating 10-man Manchester City at Anfield after Joey Barton was sent off in front of England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Switzerland to trial two rookies Wednesday
February 27, 2006Switzerland will use Wednesday's friendly against Scotland to trial two rookies - Arsenal defender Johan Djourou and FC Zurich midfielder Blerim Dzemaili. Switzerland striker Alex Frei and defenders Ludovic Magnin and Christophy Spycher have been ruled out through injury for the warm-up match ahead of the June 9-July 9 World Cup in Germany. "When Mr. Kuhn rang me, I was so excited. I did not expect to play in the first team," said Djourou, who was also eligible to play for the Ivory Coast.
World Cup captaincy icing on the cake for Yorke (Reuters)
February 27, 2006By Andrew Sleight
Ivory Coast may walk away from World Cup finals (AFP)
February 27, 2006The Ivory Coast may not go to the World Cup finals in June if there is still no peace in the war-torn country, the president of the Ivorian Football Federation warned.
Guti out of Spanish friendly (AFP)
February 27, 2006Real Madrid midfielder Guti withdrew from the Spanish squad to face African Nations Cup finalists Ivory Coast in a friendly on Wednesday with a thigh strain which forced him to miss Sunday's defeat by Real Mallorca.
Ronaldinho out of Brazil's Moscow friendly (AFP)
February 27, 2006Ronaldinho will miss Brazil's World Cup warm-up against Russia in Moscow on Wednesday after picking up an injury in Barcelona's Champions League win against Chelsea last week.
Viana added to Portugal squad for Saudi Arabia friendly (AFP)
February 27, 2006Valencia midfielder Hugo Viana has been added to Portugal's squad for their friendly against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in Germany, the Portuguese Football Federation revealed.
Five arrested over football violence in Turkey (AFP)
February 27, 2006Police in this southeastern Turkish city arrested five people over violence during a first division game at the weekend which left some 30 people injured.
Hungary's Ferenc Bene dies aged 61 (Reuters)
February 27, 2006Former Hungarian Olympic soccer gold medallist Ferenc Bene has died aged 61, national news agency MTI reported on Monday.
Owen eyes FA Cup return against Chelsea
February 27, 2006Owen eyes FA Cup return against Chelsea
by England
Arsenal youngster Fabregas set for Spain start
February 27, 2006Arsenal youngster Fabregas set for Spain start
by World Cup
Ballack backs Klinsmann over Woerns exclusion
February 27, 2006Ballack backs Klinsmann over Woerns exclusion
by World Cup
Saha shock at Cup final start
February 27, 2006Saha shock at Carling Cup final start
by England
Koroman blow for relegation strugglers Pompey
February 27, 2006Koroman blow for relegation strugglers Pompey
by England
Pressley, Hartley withdraw from Scotland squad
February 27, 2006Hearts duo withdraw from Scotland squad
by Europe
Udeze wants to quit PAOK after knife attack
February 27, 2006Udeze wants to quit PAOK after knife attack
by Europe
CC final, Feb. 26
February 27, 2006
England prepares for friendly in new shirt
February 27, 2006England's new jersey is inspired by its 1966 World Cup winning team. It may only be a sartorial touch, but captain David Beckham believes it's another detail that will help England at this year's tournament. First, England has to deal with injuries and Uruguay in a friendly Wednesday night at Anfield.
Bowyer denies breaching Act
February 27, 2006Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer pleaded not guilty to breaching the Public Order Act on Monday after his on-field fight with teammate Kieron Dyer last year.
Six arrested following violence in Greece
February 27, 2006Police arrested six fans following violence at a first division soccer game between league leader Olympiakos Piraeus and PAOK Thessaloniki.
Van Nistelrooy future in doubt after Cup final 'snub' (AFP)
February 27, 2006Ruud van Nistelrooy's Manchester United future has been thrown into fresh doubt after the club's top striker was left on the bench for all of the 4-0 League Cup final win over Wigan.
Roo relief over first United medal (AFP)
February 27, 2006Wayne Rooney has admitted his relief at winning the first medal of his professional career by inspiring Manchester United to a 4-0 League Cup final thrashing of Wigan.
Argentina add Boca keeper to squad for Croatia friendly (Reuters)
February 27, 2006Argentina have added first choice goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri of Boca Juniors to their squad for the World Cup warm-up game against Croatia in Basel on Wednesday.
Hearts pair to miss Swiss friendly for Scotland (Reuters)
February 27, 2006Scotland have suffered two withdrawals from their squad for Wednesday's friendly international against World Cup finalists Switzerland.
Ronaldinho doubtful for Brazil friendly against Russia (Reuters)
February 27, 2006Barcelona forward Ronaldinho is doubtful for Brazil's friendly against Russia on Wednesday because of an ankle injury.
Eastern European round-up (Reuters)
February 27, 2006By Zoran Milosavljevic
Ramos disappointed at lack of team spirit at Real
February 27, 2006Ramos disappointed at lack of team spirit at Real
by Europe
Red Star Belgrade stay clear of city rivals Partizan
February 27, 2006Red Star Belgrade stay clear of city rivals Partizan
by Europe
Tomasson one of four to pull out of Denmark squad
February 27, 2006Tomasson one of four to pull out of Denmark squad
by Europe
Thompson handed second Northern Ireland test
February 27, 2006Second Northern Ireland test for Thompson
by Europe
Fergie hopes cup win instils 'winning instinct'
February 27, 2006Fergie hopes cup win instils 'winning instinct'
by England
England skipper Beckham fit to face Uruguay
February 27, 2006Beckham fit to face Uruguay
by World Cup
Sven: Places still up for grabs
February 27, 2006Sven: A few World Cup places still up for grabs
by World Cup
France good enough to win World Cup, says Zidane
February 27, 2006France good enough to win World Cup, says Zidane
by World Cup
Dutch want deadline delay for World Cup squad
February 27, 2006Dutch want deadline delay for Finals squad
by World Cup
Ronaldinho doubtful for Brazil with ankle injury
February 27, 2006Ronaldinho doubtful for Brazil with ankle injury
by World Cup
Argentina call up Boca keeper Abbondanzieri
February 27, 2006Argentina call up Boca keeper Abbondanzieri
by World Cup
Allardyce 'disappointed' Nolan not in England squad
February 27, 2006Allardyce 'disappointed' Nolan not in England squad
by England
Baggies midfielder Quashie may face lengthy ban
February 27, 2006Red-carded Quashie may face lengthy ban
by England
Toon midfielder Bowyer denies public order breach
February 27, 2006Bowyer denies public order breach
by England
Anti-racist group demands protest after Eto'o slur
February 27, 2006Anti-racist group demands protest after Eto'o slur
by Europe
Carling Cup Final, Feb. 26
February 27, 2006Carling Cup Final: Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 on Sunday to post the biggest League Cup final victory in the competition's 45-year history. After Rooney had given United a halftime lead, Alex Ferguson's team scored three more in six minutes.
What has happened to sportsmanship?
February 27, 2006The incident resulting in a red card for Asier Del Horno in Chelsea's recent Champions League clash against Barcelona has focused the spotlight on the issue of diving and faking injuries. Nick Webster takes a look at what has become a curse of the modern game.
Police find, seize batons, knives, fire bombs
February 27, 2006Police discovered and seized about 100 iron bars and batons, several knives, three fire bombs and 10 banners with "offensive" slogans before Sunday's Roman Derby between Lazio and AS Roma.
Argentine League Roundup, Feb. 26
February 27, 2006Boca Juniors halted a two-game winless streak Sunday, getting goals from Marcelo Delgado and Juan Krupoviesa to win 2-1 at Argentinos Juniors in the sixth round of the Argentine Clausura championship.