Appetite vital for next England boss says Beckham (Reuters)
February 28, 2006By Trevor Huggins
France call-up exposes club and country tension (Reuters)
February 28, 2006By Pierre Serisier
Yorke scores twice to lead Trinidad (AP)
February 28, 2006Dwight Yorke scored twice to lead Trinidad and Tobago over Iceland 2-0 Tuesday night in the Soca Warriors' first World Cup warmup game. The 34-year-old Yorke, a former Manchester United star, scored in the 10th minute when he chested the ball and sent a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Arni Arason. Yorke converted a penalty kick in the 52nd minute after Stern John was knocked down in the penalty...
Trinidad coach Beenhakker optimistic for World Cup (Reuters)
February 28, 2006By Mike Collett
Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 Iceland: Yorke at the double
February 28, 2006Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 Iceland: Yorke at the double
by World Cup
Arena gets look at Europe-based players
February 28, 2006USA vs. Poland: United States coach Bruce Arena called Wednesday's World Cup warmup against Poland unimportant in terms of result. However, he said it was critical for players hoping for a spot on the tournament roster.
Perez's resignation casts doubt
February 28, 2006David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, the Real Madrid stars who became known as the "galacticos," face an uncertain future now their major backer has resigned as club president.
Argentine Roundup, Feb. 28
February 28, 2006German Denis scored twice and Colon de Santa Fe defeated Banfield 4-2 Tuesday to reclaim the lead atop the Argentine Clausura championship. Colon, which last led after the fourth round, improved to 15 points, two more than River Plate, which visits third-placed Velez Sarsfield in its seventh-round match on Wednesday.
Zaragoza fined over Eto'o incident
February 28, 2006Zaragoza was fined €9,000 (US$10,730) Tuesday for racist taunts by supporters at a Spanish league game which forced FC Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o to try to leave the field.
Nakata scores late to salvage 2-2 draw
February 28, 2006Hidetoshi Nakata scored in the last minute Tuesday to help Japan draw 2-2 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in a World Cup warmup. Japan, which unlike its opponent qualified for the June 9-July 9 World Cup, had put Bosnia under pressure early on and Bosnia's only first-half chance was in the third minute, when Sergej Barbarez failed to head Vladan Misimovic's cross into the net. Japan took the lead in the 45th when Shunsuke Nakamura's corner kick was deflected in by Naohiro Takahara.
Ukraine held to 0-0 draw by Azerbaijan
February 28, 2006Ukraine drew 0-0 at Azerbaijan on Wednesday in a World Cup warmup. Ukraine controlled the match and created several scoring opportunities, but was hampered by the absence of AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko. Andrii Voronin's eighth-minute cross into the box found Spartak Moscow midfielder Maksym Kalinichenko, who hit the crossbar. Oleksiy Belik was first to the rebound but his header was punched away by goalkeeper Farhad Veliyev.
Real Zaragoza fined for fans' racist taunts (SportsTicker)
February 28, 2006MADRID (Ticker) - Real Zaragoza has been fined nearly $10,700 by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for its fans' racist abuse of Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o on Saturday.
Samaras scores winner on debut for Greece (Reuters)
February 28, 2006By Lakis Avraamides
Yorke strikes twice for Trinidad (AFP)
February 28, 2006Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke struck twice as Trinidad and Tobago began their preparations for the World Cup in style, recording a comfortable 2-0 victory over Iceland.
Two-goal Yorke gives Trinidad win over Iceland (Reuters)
February 28, 2006(Updates with detail)
Senegal call up six uncapped players after withdrawals (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Senegal have called up six uncapped players for Wednesday's friendly with Norway after seven overseas-based squad members pulled out of the match in Dakar, the Senegal press agency APS reported on Tuesday.
Maccabi's Berkovic suspended for six matches (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Eyal Berkovic was banned for six matches by the Israel Football Association on Tuesday for verbally abusing a referee.
Zaragoza fined over Eto'o racist taunts (AP)
February 28, 2006Zaragoza was fined $10,700 Tuesday for racist taunts by fans at a Spanish League game last weekend that caused Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o to try to leave the field. After fans made monkey noises as he prepared to take a corner kick during Saturday's game at La Romareda Stadium, Eto'o could be seen saying: "I'm not playing any more." Eto'o, a forward from Cameroon, was persuaded to remain on...
Zaragoza fined for racism (AFP)
February 28, 2006Real Zaragoza announced they must pay a 9,000-euro fine for racism aimed at Barcelona's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o during a Spanish first division match at the weekend.
Lampard injury opens England door for Carrick
February 28, 2006Bent and Carrick get the nod
by World Cup
Raul envisages end of galacticos era
February 28, 2006Raul hopes for end of galacticos era
by Europe
G14 to assist fully in EU review of football
February 28, 2006G14 to take part in EU review
by Europe
Striker Kalou must pass citizenship test
February 28, 2006Feyenoord striker Salomon Kalou will be allowed to obtain Dutch citizenship in time for the World Cup if he can pass a citizenship test. Immigration minister Rita Verdonk had initially denied Kalou's citizenship request outright, but he appealed with the backing of national coach Marco van Basten, who said he would be of great value to the team.
Laporta: Chelsea tie not over
February 28, 2006Barcelona president Joan Laporta has warned the club's Champions League tie with Chelsea is far from over and has called on the Blaugrana fans to give the team their full support in the second leg.
Favorite Argentina seeks winning start
February 28, 2006As usual, Argentina is among the favorites coming into a World Cup year.
Injured Lampard misses England game, Bent starts (Reuters)
February 28, 2006(adds details)
France need to learn from victorious past, says Zidane (Reuters)
February 28, 2006By Pierre Serisier
Ex-Belgium boss Antheunis retires because of ill-health (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Former Belgium coach Aime Antheunis has resigned as coach of Lokeren due to ill-health and is retiring from the game.
Convey, Hahnemann eye Premier League, World Cup (AP)
February 28, 2006Bobby Convey finally got to play in England on the basis of three videos. Now he's on the highlight packages as Reading heads for the Premier League for the first time. The 22-year-old midfielder has had a standout season for the Royals and hopes that carries over to the World Cup. But it's taken awhile for Convey to adjust to life in England after moving from D.C.
Lyon still keen on Anderlecht's Kompany despite injury (Reuters)
February 28, 2006By Darren Ennis
Marin takes charge of Dinamo for second time (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Dinamo Bucharest appointed Ion Marin as coach on Tuesday, replacing Spaniard Esteban Vigo who quit on Monday without managing the team in an official game.
Zaragoza target racist fans over Eto'o abuse (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Real Zaragoza are trying to identity and punish the fans responsible for racist abuse aimed at Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o in Saturday's Primera Liga match.
Neville and Giggs want title before retirement
February 28, 2006Neville and Giggs want Prem title before retirement
by England
Lehmann expecting new deal, but not Ballack
February 28, 2006Lehmann expecting new deal, but not Ballack
by England
Beckham on his Real future
February 28, 2006David Beckham doesn't think his future at Real Madrid will be affected by the resignation of club president Florentino Perez. The England captain is one of many stars signed by Perez since 2000. Perez quit Monday, saying a pitiful team spirit had developed.
Petr receives Czech honor
February 28, 2006Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has been voted the Czech Republic's player of the year for 2005.
Brazil injury-weakened in Russia
February 28, 2006As if losing Ronaldinho wasn't enough trouble, World Cup champion Brazil is also likely to have to cope with frigid temperatures for its friendly against Russia on Wednesday.
Swedes gets flavor of WC opponent England
February 28, 2006Different players, different country, same style. Sweden will get a flavor of World Cup opponent England on Wednesday when it faces an Ireland squad almost entirely based in English soccer.
Ferrara joins Lippi's staff
February 28, 2006Ciro Ferrara is back with the Italian national team - as a member of the coaching staff.
Favorite Argentina seeks winning start
February 28, 2006As usual, Argentina is among the favorites coming into a World Cup year.
Tuesday's Rather Early Gossip
February 28, 2006What would you do with all that money?
ANALYSIS-Soccer-Perez's galactico monster devours its creator (Reuters)
February 28, 2006By Simon Baskett
Arsenal's Van Persie no longer rape suspect (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Arsenal's Robin van Persie is no longer a suspect in a rape case, a spokeswoman for Rotterdam's public prosecutor said on Tuesday.
Leaving England job was not my decision, says Eriksson (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Tuesday it had not been his decision to stand down as England coach, indicating he had been asked to resign after embarrassing newspapers revelations.
Coach Been agrees two-year deal with NEC Nijmegen (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Mario Been will take charge as head coach of NEC Nijmegen from July 1, the Dutch first division side said on Tuesday.
Van Nistelrooy demands United recall (AFP)
February 28, 2006Ruud van Nistelrooy has demanded a recall to the Manchester United starting line-up but attempted to play down reports of a bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Chelsea to sign Germany star Ballack (AFP)
February 28, 2006English Premiership champions Chelsea will make Germany captain Michael Ballack the world's highest paid player after winning the battle to sign the midfielder.
Ukraine play friendly without Shevchenko (Reuters)
February 28, 2006(Adds detail)
Ballack denies Chelsea deal (Reuters)
February 28, 2006(Updates with Ballack's comments in paras 1-2)
'No problem' with Ferguson, insists Ruud
February 28, 2006No problem' with Ferguson, insists Ruud
by England
Ballack denies four-year £25m Chelsea deal
February 28, 2006Ballack denies four-year £25m Chelsea deal
by Europe
Becks refuses to be distracted by boss hunt
February 28, 2006Becks refuses to be distracted by new boss hunt
by World Cup
Eriksson 'listening' to Benitez's concerns
February 28, 2006Eriksson 'listening' to Benitez's concerns
by World Cup
Sir Alex offers Yorke World Cup training camp
February 28, 2006Sir Alex offers Yorke World Cup training camp
by World Cup
Galacticos in limbo as Perez quits Real
February 28, 2006Galacticos in limbo as Perez quits Real Madrid
by Europe
Man City ease overall debts with £16.8m profits
February 28, 2006Man City ease overall debts with £16.8m profits
by England
Woodward to be 'main guy' in two-three years?
February 28, 2006Woodward to be 'main guy' in two-three years?
by England
Warnock calls time on Blades boozers
February 28, 2006Warnock calls time on Blades boozers
by England
Staunton hands Keane Republic captaincy
February 28, 2006Staunton hands Keane Republic captaincy
by Europe
Finnish newspaper saved my leg - Paatelainen
February 28, 2006Finnish newspaper saved my leg - Paatelainen
by Europe
Cech voted 2005 Czech Footballer of the Year
February 28, 2006Cech voted 2005 Czech Footballer of the Year
by Europe
World Cup work still to do with 100 days left
February 28, 2006World Cup work still to do with 100 days left
by World Cup
Real Madrid president Perez resigns
February 28, 2006Florentino Perez resigned as president of Real Madrid on Monday, leaving the club after spending millions to assemble a star-laden roster that has been unable to claim a major title in nearly three years.
Blast from the past Deutschland style
February 28, 2006With the kickoff of the 2006 World Cup Finals only 100 days away as of Wednesday, it is interesting to compare and contrast this summer's tournament with the 1974 edition. Bobby McMahon looks back at then West Germany's second World Cup triumph.
Cech voted 2005 Czech Footballer of the Year (Reuters)
February 28, 2006Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has been named Czech Footballer of the Year for the first time in his career.
Neville expecting new faces at United (AFP)
February 28, 2006Gary Neville believes Manchester United will be active in the post-season transfer market as the club look to build on their League Cup success.
Ghosts of goalkeepers past don't scare Robinson (AFP)
February 28, 2006The danger of becoming a national scapegoat is part of the job description for an England goalkeeper.
Real Madrid president Perez resigns (AFP)
February 28, 2006Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has unexpectedly resigned to herald the end of an era at Spain's, and possibly the world's, most famous football club.
Del Horno ban cut to one match
February 28, 2006Chelsea fullback Asier Del Horno's three-match ban was reduced to one on Monday after UEFA deemed his dismissal against Barcelona last week in the Champions League not to be violent conduct.