N.J. officials seeing red over soccer team name change (AP)
March 10, 2006Red Bull's purchase of Major League Soccer's MetroStars is causing a stir in New Jersey. The team wants to be known as Red Bull New York, effectively disassociating itself from the Garden State, and that's not sitting well with state officials. One is even threatening to boot the team from the Meadowlands, where it will play until a new stadium in Harrison is ready in 2008.
Gers fans: UEFA probe bizarre
March 10, 2006The Rangers Supporters' Trust has backed the club's stance against sectarianism but insist UEFA should not be singling out the Ibrox club for "discriminatory chants" in their Champions League games against Villarreal.
Rangers vs. Kilmarnock
March 10, 2006Rangers defender Steven Smith returns to the squad for the Bank of Scotland Premier League visit of Kilmarnock.
Chelsea midfielder Smertin joins Dynamo Moscow (Reuters)
March 10, 2006Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin has joined Dynamo Moscow on a four-year deal, the Russian premier league club said on its website on Friday.
MLS's Galaxy president dies (AFP)
March 10, 2006Los Angeles Galaxy President and General Manager Doug Hamilton died after suffering an apparent heart attack on a flight from Costa Rica to the United States, the Major League Soccer club said.
Chelsea midfielder Smertin joins Dynamo Moscow
March 10, 2006Chelsea midfielder Smertin joins Dynamo Moscow
by England
Galaxy team president dies aboard flight
March 10, 2006Los Angeles Galaxy president and general manager Doug Hamilton died Thursday after suffering from what appeared to be a heart attack while flying back from the team's CONCACAF Champions Cup match in Costa Rica, a spokesman for the Costa Rican airline said.
Domenech hopes Lyon and Juventus fall
March 10, 2006France coach Raymond Domenech hopes neither Lyon or Juventus reach the Champions League final because he wants his players fresh for the World Cup. Lyon, which was pitted Friday against AC Milan in the quarterfinal draw in Paris, contains French internationals Gregory Coupet, Sylvain Wiltord, Anthony Reveillere, Sidney Govou and Eric Abidal. All are likely to be in Domenech's squad for the June 9-July 9 World Cup.
CL: FC Barcelona drawn against Benfica
March 10, 2006Champions League Draw: Tournament favorite FC Barcelona was drawn against Benfica on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, while Italian champion Juventus meets Arsenal.
Matthaeus suspended for offending linesman
March 10, 2006Atletico Paranaense coach Lothar Matthaeus was suspended for 30 days for insulting a linesman in a Parana state championship match last week. Matthaeus was found guilty by a sports tribunal late Thursday for offending linesman Jose Carlos Dias Passos in the team's 1-1 draw against J. Malucelli on March 1.
Jol full of praise for Mourinho
March 10, 2006Tottenham coach Martin Jol steered clear of condemning Jose Mourinho for his controversial touchline bust-up with West Brom manager Bryan Robson.
Rangers vs. Kilmarnock
March 10, 2006Rangers defender Steven Smith returns to the squad for the Bank of Scotland Premier League visit of Kilmarnock.
Pardew plots new approach
March 10, 2006West Ham manager Alan Pardew aims to spring an attacking surprise on Bolton this weekend and strike the first blow in what will be a pivotal five days for both clubs.
Vieira says Highbury return was his destiny (Reuters)
March 10, 2006(adds Wenger quotes)
Wenger warns Pardew over his "no British players" remarks (Reuters)
March 10, 2006Arsene Wenger has warned West Ham manager Alan Pardew that his complaints about the lack of British players in the Arsenal team smacked of racism.
One coach will replace Eriksson: FA (AFP)
March 10, 2006Sven-Goran Eriksson's replacement will be a full-time head coach of the England team and no joint arrangement for running the national side will be made, the Football Association said.
Mourinho is jewel in Premier League crown, says Jol (Reuters)
March 10, 2006By Ken Ferris
EU lawmakers back referees in anti-racism resolution (Reuters)
March 10, 2006Europe's football authorities will be urged by EU lawmakers on Tuesday to give extra powers to referees so they can stop matches because of racist abuse.
Gunners drawn against Juve (AFP)
March 10, 2006English side Arsenal were drawn to play Italian giants Juventus in the quarter-finals of the European Champions League.
United's Queiroz points to Chelsea flaws (Reuters)
March 10, 2006By Pete Oliver
O'Leary: Hendrie has a future
March 10, 2006O'Leary: Hendrie has a future with Villa
by England
Birmingham basement derby
March 10, 2006Birmingham basement derby
by England
Big Jack backs O'Neill for England
March 10, 2006Big Jack backs O'Neill to take over England job
by World Cup
Le Guen a 'good catch' for Rangers - Wenger
March 10, 2006Le Guen a 'good catch' for Rangers - Wenger
by Europe
Spurs hoping to break winless streak
March 10, 2006EPL Preview: Although manager Martin Jol has led Tottenham to its best Premier League season so far, holding down fourth place with 49 points, the team is still 23 behind league-leading Chelsea and has not beaten a top-five team this season.
Bridge could face Everton
March 10, 2006Wayne Bridge is hoping to return to action on Saturday after making a surprisingly quick recovery from the ankle ligament injury he suffered in England's 2-1 victory over Uruguay on March 1.
Pearce won't blow his own horn
March 10, 2006Hard taskmaster Stuart Pearce insists he has achieved nothing despite the giant strides Manchester City have made during his year in charge.
Tal set to be sued by agent
March 10, 2006Agent Ronen Katsav plans to sue Maccabi Haifa midfielder Idan Tal after the player signed a pre-contract with Bolton next season - via another agent.
Henry: Focus on league now
March 10, 2006Thierry Henry knows Arsenal must put memories of glorious European nights to the back of their mind when they return to the hustle and bustle of Premiership action against Liverpool this weekend.
Gerrard sets new target after Reds' Euro exit
March 10, 2006Gerrard sets new target after Reds' Euro exit
by England
Arsenal handed Juventus tie in Champions League
March 10, 2006Arsenal handed Juventus tie in Champions League
by UEFA Champions League
Dein: Vieira will get great reaction at Highbury
March 10, 2006Dein: Vieira will get great reaction at Highbury
by UEFA Champions League
Rooney signs record book deal with HarperCollins
March 10, 2006Rooney signs record book deal with HarperCollins
by England
Bridge set to return to action ahead of schedule
March 10, 2006Bridge set to return to action ahead of schedule
by England
Pedersen set to return to boost Rovers' hopes
March 10, 2006Pedersen set to return to boost Rovers' hopes
by England
Marseille in the dock over transfers in late 90s
March 10, 2006Marseille in the dock over transfers in late 90s
by Jean-Francois Rosnoblet
Four arrested in alleged German match-fixing scandal
March 10, 2006Four arrested in alleged German match-fixing scandal
by Patrick Vignal
Bayern look to bounce back on domestic duty
March 10, 2006Bayern look to bounce back on domestic duty
by Patrick Vignal
Real Madrid president rules out early election
March 10, 2006Real Madrid president rules out early election
by Europe
Valencia aim to take advantage of wounded Real
March 10, 2006Valencia aim to take advantage of wounded Real
by Simon Baskett
Milan facing final chance to reel in Juventus
March 10, 2006Milan facing final chance to reel in Juventus
by Europe
Lyon to rest stars in Ligue 1 ahead of Euro bid
March 10, 2006Lyon to rest stars in Ligue 1 ahead of Euro bid
by Europe
Beckenbauer u-turn: Germany can win World Cup
March 10, 2006Beckenbauer u-turn: Germany can win World Cup
by Zoran Milosavljevic
FA boss wants Klinsmann back in Germany
March 10, 2006FA boss wants Klinsmann back in Germany
by World Cup
Kalou pens personal plea for Dutch citizenship (Reuters)
March 10, 2006Salomon Kalou has appealed to the Dutch immigration minister about the handling of his bid for Dutch citizenship ahead of the World Cup, saying his soccer performance had suffered during months of uncertainty.
Internet phone firm backs ailing Chinese league (Reuters)
March 10, 2006By Nick Mulvenney
Champions League quarter-final, semi-final draw (Reuters)
March 10, 2006(adds semi-final draw)
Investigators probing new German football betting allegations (AFP)
March 10, 2006German football was rocked by fresh allegations of a betting scandal after investigators confirmed they were probing a possible match-fixing ring.
Four arrested in another German match-fixing scandal (AP)
March 10, 2006Four people have been arrested in Germany's latest match-fixing scandal, prosecutors said Friday, with soccer authorities promising a thorough investigation three months before the World Cup. The arrests follow an investigation against a group suspected of trying to fix the results of lower German division games, Frankfurt prosecutor Thomas Bechtel said.
Tigres beat Corinthians to lead Group 4
March 10, 2006Mexico's Tigres beat Corinthians of Brazil 2-0 Thursday to climb to the top of Group 4 in the Copa Libertadores. In other matches, Colombia's Independiente de Santa Fe beat Estudiantes and Maracaibo held Nacional to a goalless draw.
Vietnam mulls plan to legalize soccer betting
March 10, 2006Vietnam is considering a plan to legalize soccer betting in a bid to stop rampant illegal gambling and generate up to US$50 million (€42 million) a year for the government, state-controlled media reported Friday. Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper quoted Vice Sports Minister Huynh Vinh Ai as saying his ministry is working on the proposal and will submit it to the government for approval later this year.
Libertadores: Santa Fe downs Argentina's Estudiantes 3-1
March 10, 2006Independiente de Santa Fe rallied from a goal down to beat Estudiantes 3-1 Thursday and give new manager Ricardo Gareca his first victory in the Copa Libertadores.
Libertadores: Nacional, Maracaibo draw 0-0
March 10, 2006Maracaibo of Venezuela held host Nacional to a goalless draw Thursday to retain second place in Group 6 of Copa Libertadores.
Bilos considers offer to play for Croatia
March 10, 2006Amid dwindling hopes of playing for Argentina's national team, Boca Juniors wing Daniel Bilos said Thursday he was studying an offer from Croatia for the upcoming World Cup.
Los Angeles Galaxy manager dies in Costa Rica (Reuters)
March 10, 2006The president and general manager of U.S. Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy has died while on a flight back from a match in Costa Rica, local emergency services said.
Bilos considers offer to play for Croatia
March 10, 2006World Cup: Amid dwindling hopes of playing for Argentina's national team, Boca Juniors wing Daniel Bilos said Thursday he was studying an offer from Croatia for the upcoming World Cup. Bilos, who could qualify for that team thanks to his grandmother's Croatian nationality, said he was mulling the possibility.