PREVIEW-Soccer-Marseille in the dock over transfers in late 90s (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

By Jean-Francois Rosnoblet

Sad Chelsea fans ready to pay tribute to Osgood (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

By Tony Jimenez

Uefa to investigate Villarreal bus attack

March 9, 2006

Uefa to investigate bus attack

by UEFA Champions League

Los Angeles Galaxy president, general manager dies aboard Costa Rican flight (AP)

March 9, 2006

Los Angeles Galaxy president and general manager Doug Hamilton died Thursday after an apparent heart attack while flying back from the team's CONCACAF Champions Cup match in Costa Rica, a spokesman for the Costa Rican airline said. A two-time Major League Soccer Executive of the Year, Hamilton died aboard a TACA airlines flight after it left San Jose airport Thursday evening, TACA spokeswoman said...

Rooney signs record book deal - reports (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

Manchester United's England striker Wayne Rooney has signed a blockbuster book deal worth at least 5 million pounds ($8.71 million), British media reported on Friday.

UC: Middlesbrough tops Roma 1-0

March 9, 2006

UEFA Cup: Aiyegbeni Yakubu's controversial penalty handed Middlesbrough a precious first leg lead to take to Roma next week as they kept their UEFA Cup dream alive.

UEFA Cup Roundup, Mar. 9

March 9, 2006

UEFA Cup Wrap: Hamburg and Schalke were beaten in their first-leg matches in the UEFA Cup's round of 16 on Thursday, denting the last German hopes remaining in European cup competition.

UEFA Cup gallery, Mar. 9

March 9, 2006

United States, China draw 0-0

March 9, 2006

The United States and China played to a 0-0 draw in Thursday's opening game of the Algarve Cup women's tournament. The United States, which is pursuing a fourth straight title in the 11-nation event, created the best scoring chances against a defensive China team after a scrappy first half.

Surge leads Germany over Finland

March 9, 2006

Women's World Cup champion Germany scored five second-half goals and opened the Algarve Cup with a 5-0 victory over Finland on Thursday. Norway and Sweden drew 0-0 in the other Group A game. The three-time defending champion United States drew 0-0 with China while France and Denmark tied 2-2 in Group B of the 11-nation event.

British officers to join German police

March 9, 2006

World Cup: Thousands of English soccer fans heading to the World Cup in Germany will for the first time be accompanied by prosecutors able to build legal cases against hooligans, officials said Thursday. Nearly 80 British police officers will also be at the tournament.

Yakubu penalty seals Boro win over Roma in UEFA Cup (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

Nigerian Aiyegbeni Yakubu stroked home a first-half penalty to hand Middlesbrough a 1-0 win over AS Roma in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last 16 tie on Thursday.

Leviev pulls out of deal to buy Hapoel Tel Aviv-club (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

By Ori Lewis

Beckham out of Valencia tussle (AFP)

March 9, 2006

England skipper David Beckham revealed he had not been fully fit for the Arsenal Champions League encounter which saw Real Madrid crash out of Europe after suffering a right thigh strain in the warm up.

Austrian group purchase MLS Metrostars (AFP)

March 9, 2006

Austrian energy drink manufacturer Red Bull, which bought out the Minardi Racing team last year, announced it had purchased the MetroStars of the US Major League Soccer.

Injured Beckham out of Saturday's game against Valencia (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham will miss Saturday's Primera Liga game at Valencia after straining his groin before the Champions League match at Arsenal.

Brienza gives Palermo 1-0 win over Schalke (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

A goal by Franco Brienza gave Palermo a 1-0 win over Schalke 04 in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last 16 tie on Thursday.

Benitez and Parry look for 'solutions for the future'

March 9, 2006

Benitez admits there is still work to do

by England

Middlesbrough 1-0 Roma: Yakubu on the spot

March 9, 2006

Middlesbrough 1-0 Roma: Yakubu on the spot

by Europe

Uefa Cup review: Lille edge Sevilla

March 9, 2006

Uefa Cup review: Lille edge Sevilla

by Europe

Palermo 1-0 Schalke 04: Missed opportunities

March 9, 2006

Palermo 1-0 Schalke 04: Missed opportunities

by Europe

Lille 1-0 FC Sevilla: Lille turn a corner

March 9, 2006

Lille 1-0 FC Sevilla: Lille turn a corner

by Europe

Marseille 0-1 Zenit St Petersburg: Arshavin settles it

March 9, 2006

Marseille 0-1 Zenit St Petersburg: Arshavin settles it

by Europe

Red Bull buys MLS team MetroStars

March 9, 2006

The Red Bull energy drink company has bought the MetroStars, and the Major League Soccer team will be known as the New York Red Bulls. Red Bull Co. Ltd. announced Thursday that it bought the MLS team, which plays its home games at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, from the Anschutz Entertainment Group.

Essien counsels memory loss

March 9, 2006

Michael Essien wants to see Chelsea forget their defeat in Barcelona and finish the season in style.

Latvia likely to be final U.S. opponent

March 9, 2006

The United States is closing in on an agreement to play Latvia on May 28 at East Hartford, Connecticut, the final friendly for the Americans before they leave for World Cup. UEFA said on its Web site Tuesday that Latvia had agreed to the game. The U.S. Soccer Federation doesn't announce friendlies until contracts are signed, and USSF spokesman Jim Moorhouse said Thursday a deal had not been finalized.

Juventus aiming to solidify hold on title

March 9, 2006

Juventus could all but clinch its record 29th Serie A title with a win over second-place AC Milan on Sunday.

CCC: Alajuelense 1, New England Revolution 0

March 9, 2006

Carlos Hernandez scored in the last minute Wednesday night and Alajuelense of Costa Rica beat the New England Revolution 1-0 to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Rio's a liability and Sol is past it, says Big Jack

March 9, 2006

Rio a liability and Sol is past it, says Big Jack

by World Cup

Buck gives Mourinho his full backing

March 9, 2006

Buck gives Mourinho his full backing

by England

Alonso targets FA Cup to save Reds' season

March 9, 2006

Alonso targets FA Cup to save Reds' season

by England

Benfica's Gomes dreaming of Champions glory

March 9, 2006

Benfica's Gomes dreaming of Champions glory

by UEFA Champions League

Spain vows to take tougher stance against racism

March 9, 2006

Spain vows to take tougher stance against racism

by Europe

Czech star Koller harbours World Cup hopes (AFP)

March 9, 2006

Czech international forward Jan Koller has not given up hope of playing in this summer's World Cup finals despite being sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.

Britain sending lawyers and police to tackle World Cup hooligans (AFP)

March 9, 2006

In a football first, Britain will dispatch a four-strong team of lawyers to Germany to work alongside police to combat acts of hooliganism during the upcoming World Cup.

UK govt warns England fans over World Cup behaviour (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

By Kate Holton

3 Belgian players arrested in match-fixing probe (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

(Adds details, background in paragraphs 4-14)

World Cup tickets can be sold back, organisers say (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

Fans with tickets for the 2006 World Cup will be allowed to sell them back or, under certain circumstances, transfer them to another supporter, the German organising committee said on Thursday. Sale or cession of tickets that have already been purchased will be possible from March 27 only through the official fifa.worldcup.com website, organisers said in a statement.

Red Bull takes over U.S. MetroStars (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

(adds details, quotes)

Political feud puts Nigeria coach in doubt (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

By Eniwoke Ibagere

Buck backs Jose all the way

March 9, 2006

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck insists the club are fully behind their increasingly unpopular manager Jose Mourinho.

Arsenal savors victory, Reds try to recover

March 9, 2006

EPL Preview: Arsenal must savor its Champions League success quickly, and defending champion Liverpool has little time to explain its embarrassing exit. It's right back into the action of the English Premier League, where the two meet Sunday.

Houllier trying to take Lyon to next level

March 9, 2006

Lyon has proved itself one of Europe's top eight teams for the third straight season. Coach Gerard Houllier now wants to take the club to the next level.

CL: Lyon beats PSV to advance

March 9, 2006

Portugal midfielder Tiago scored twice and Lyon beat PSV Eindhoven 4-0 Wednesday to advance to the European Champions League quarterfinals for the third straight year.

Italian job again as Milan crush Bayern (AFP)

March 9, 2006

German football was left in a state of mourning after AC Milan thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1 to send the German champions crashing out of the last 16 of the Champions League 5-2 on aggregate.

Savage sure of Wales comeback (AFP)

March 9, 2006

Robbie Savage believes John Toshack's days are numbered as Wales manager and his departure will allow the Blackburn midfielder return to international duty.

Arsenal defeat brings the curtain down on Galactico era (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

By Simon Baskett

Prolific 'Pippo' puts pressure on Lippi (Reuters)

March 9, 2006

By Simon Evans

Pearce poised to sign contract (AFP)

March 9, 2006

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce confirmed that he will formally sign his rolling contract next week.

Yorke told he can leave Sydney FC halfway through contract (AFP)

March 9, 2006

Just days after his man-of-the-match performance in Australia's A-League grand final, striker Dwight Yorke has been told he can leave Sydney FC halfway through his lucrative contract.

Buck gives Mourinho his full backing

March 9, 2006

Buck gives Mourinho his full backing

by England

Wenger proud as Gunners grow in confidence

March 9, 2006

Wenger proud of confident Gunners

by UEFA Champions League

Benitez determined to lift deflated Liverpool

March 9, 2006

Benitez determined to lift Liverpool

by UEFA Champions League

Chelsea hope for leniency over FA charge

March 9, 2006

Blues hope for leniency

by England

Newcastle dismiss Owen injury setback claims

March 9, 2006

Newcastle dismiss Owen injury setback claims

by England

Pearce to sign Man City deal 'this week'

March 9, 2006

Pearce set to sign deal

by England

McClaren dare not dream of UEFA Cup glory

March 9, 2006

McClaren dare not dream of Euro glory

by Europe

Prolific 'Pippo' puts pressure on Milan boss Lippi

March 9, 2006

Prolific 'Pippo' puts pressure on Lippi

by UEFA Champions League

Liverpool need new strikers, says Thompson

March 9, 2006

Reds need new strikers, says Thompson

by UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid buries an era at Highbury

March 9, 2006

Real Madrid buries an era at Highbury

by UEFA Champions League

Lyon fire warning to Champions League rivals

March 9, 2006

Lyon fire warning to Champions League rivals

by UEFA Champions League

Big money deal lifts Gers after Euro exit

March 9, 2006

Big money deal lifts Gers after Euro exit

by Europe

Savage: When Toshack leaves I'll be back

March 9, 2006

Savage: When Toshack leaves I'll be back

by Europe

Owen recovery on track, insist Newcastle (AFP)

March 9, 2006

English Premiership side Newcastle insisted that England striker Michael Owen had not suffered a setback in his recovery from a fractured metatarsal.

CCC: Saprissa 3, Galaxy 2

March 9, 2006

Champions' Cup: Saprissa of Costa Rica rallied to beat the MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 in overtime Wednesday, advancing to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Reynaldo Parks scored the winner four minutes into extra time.

America 5, Portmore United 2 (AP)

March 9, 2006

Aaron Padilla scored three times, leading America of Mexico past Portmore United of Jamaica 5-2 Wednesday night to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Padilla scored in the third, 56th and 90th minutes of a game watched by 100,000 spectators in Azteca Stadium. America advanced with an aggregate score of 7-3.