Romario defends former teammate Ronaldo
March 17, 2006World Cup: Romario wants critics to leave Ronaldo alone. The veteran striker said on Friday that Ronaldo was being unfairly criticized, and was confident that the Real Madrid player would stage a comeback in the World Cup in Germany.
Stoke suspend director of football Rudge (Reuters)
March 17, 2006(adds background)
Edmundo banned from driving for six months
March 17, 2006World Cup veteran Edmundo has been banned from driving in Brazil for the next six months after a conviction for drunken-driving. Edmundo, a member of Brazil's World Cup squad in 1998, was arrested last December for dangerous driving and contempt of authority. He was later found to be driving while intoxicated, and on Thursday authorities suspended his driver's license for six months. He also will have to undergo a defensive driving course and pay a fine of about 1,000 reals (US$470; ?390).
'Everton fans can look to the future'
March 17, 2006On the weekend when two of his old teams face each other, our man in the Sky looks at the contrasting fortunes of Everton and Aston Villa. Is anyone expecting Villa to win 4-0 again? Because he isn't...
Brazilian player draws 120-day, four-game suspension for racism (AP)
March 17, 2006A Brazilian soccer player was suspended for 120 days and four more games for making racist insults against an opponent. The Sports Justice Tribunal of Rio Grande do Sul state punished Juventude defender Antonio Carlos for violent play and for "moral offenses" against Gremio's Jeovanio in a state league game on March 5.
Henry to Barca rumours off target: Wenger (AFP)
March 17, 2006Arsene Wenger has poured cold water on claims Barcelona have already done a deal to lure Arsenal skipper Thierry Henry to Spain in time for next season.
Chairman, lawyer of top Belgian team charged with financial wrongdoing (AP)
March 17, 2006The chairman and lawyer of La Louviere soccer club have been charged with financial wrongdoing as part of Belgium's match-fixing probe. Team chairman Filippo Gaone and lawyer Laurent Denis formally were charged late Thursday after police searched 20 homes and offices, seizing documents, computers and mobile phones.
Blatter says time is up for soccer's racists (Reuters)
March 17, 2006By Mark Ledsom
Ten stadiums for 2010 World Cup agreed by FIFA (Reuters)
March 17, 2006FIFA said it agreed on Friday with South Africa's plans to host the 2010 World Cup in 10 stadiums located in nine cities.
Moyes still eyeing Europe
March 17, 2006Moyes still eyeing Europe
by England
Jose: SWP will dazzle fans
March 17, 2006Jose Mourinho insists Chelsea fans will soon see the best of England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips after the £21million England winger has taken time to settle in at Stamford Bridge.
Boro to face Basle in last eight
March 17, 2006UEFA Cup Draw: Middlesbrough will face Swiss leaders Basle in the quarterfinals. If they win the two legs, Steve McLaren's side will face the winner of the Romanian capital derby.
UEFA Cup Draw List
March 17, 2006The draw for the UEFA Cup quarterfinals and semifinals. Matches are played over two legs: Quarterfinals First Leg March 30 Sevilla vs. Zenit St. Petersburg Basel vs. Middlesbrough Rapid Bucharest vs. Steaua Bucharest Levski Sofia vs. Schalke Second Leg April 6 Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Sevilla Middlesbrough vs. Basel Steaua Bucharest vs. Rapid Bucharest Schalke vs. Levski Sofia Semifinals First Leg April 20 Levski Sofia or Schalke vs. Sevilla or Zenit St.
German federation urges players to come forward
March 17, 2006Players in the German leagues who come forward by the end of March and report bribery attempts to fix matches have been promised immunity from prosecution. The German Soccer Federation (DFB) sent a letter to second- and third-division teams Friday asking that their players report any approaches to help the latest investigation into match-fixing.
Dempsey left off U.S. roster after fight
March 17, 2006Germany vs. USA: Clint "Deuce" Dempsey was left off the U.S. roster for next week's exhibition game at Germany after the midfielder was suspended by the New England Revolution following a practice-field fight with a teammate.
FIFA clears vice-president Warner over World Cup tickets (Reuters)
March 17, 2006FIFA said on Friday that no action would be taken against vice-president Jack Warner over a World Cup ticketing controversy.
Foreign students attacked by Zenit yobs (AFP)
March 17, 2006Six foreign students were beaten by a group of Russian thugs who mistook them for visiting football fans following the UEFA Cup last 16 clash between Zenit St Petersburg and French side Marseille.
Japan angry at new FIFA technical zone rule (Reuters)
March 17, 2006Asian champions Japan have reacted angrily to a FIFA decision to restrict technical areas at this year's World Cup to one person at any time.
Japan coach Zico complains about technical zone rules (AFP)
March 17, 2006Japan coach Zico complained about FIFA's decision not to allow more than one person to enter the technical zone during World Cup matches in Germany in June.
Belgian club president charged with fraud (AFP)
March 17, 2006Filippo Gaone, president of Belgian first division side La Louviere, was charged with fraud and embezzlement of club funds by judge Silvania Verstreken.
Morais takes over as Maritimo coach (Reuters)
March 17, 2006Portuguese premier league Maritimo have named Ulisses Morais as their coach, the Madeira island club said on Friday.
Boro to meet Basle in UEFA Cup quarters
March 17, 2006Boro to meet Basle in UEFA Cup quarters
by UEFA Champions League
'Van Nistelrooy staying at United', insists Queiroz
March 17, 2006'Van Nistelrooy staying at United', insists Queiroz
by England
Defoe's bench-warming worries Sven
March 17, 2006Defoe's bench-warming worries Sven
by England
Luton boss pens new four year deal
March 17, 2006Luton boss pens new four year deal
by England
Soccer welcomes FIFA plan to combat racism
March 17, 2006Soccer welcomes FIFA plan to combat racism
by Global
Inter open way for possible Ronaldo return
March 17, 2006Inter open way for possible Ronaldo return
by Europe
FIFA reveal severe penalties to combat racism
March 17, 2006FIFA reveal severe penalties to combat racism
by Global
'We're confident of catching Man Utd' - Fowler
March 17, 2006'We're confident of catching Man Utd' - Fowler
by England
Owen would prefer Englishman to replace Sven
March 17, 2006Owen would prefer Englishman to replace Sven
by World Cup
Eriksson forced to accept World Cup squad deadline
March 17, 2006Eriksson forced to accept World Cup squad deadline
by England
Neville backing Brown for World Cup berth
March 17, 2006Neville backing Brown for World Cup berth
by England
Petrov can replace Ballack, Matthaus tells Bayern
March 17, 2006Petrov can replace Ballack, Matthaus tells Bayern
by Europe
La Liga: Villarreal and Atletico gunning for Europe
March 17, 2006La Liga: Villarreal and Atletico gunning for Europe
by Europe
Ligue 1: PSG start Euro push by hosting Auxerre
March 17, 2006Ligue 1: PSG start Euro push by hosting Auxerre
by Europe
Serie A: Milan giants left to battle for second
March 17, 2006Serie A: Milan giants left to battle for second
by Europe
Bundesliga: 'No need for nerves' - Bayern's Magath
March 17, 2006Bundesliga: 'No need for nerves' - Bayern's Magath
by Europe
Copa Libertadores: Montenegro inspires River
March 17, 2006Copa Libertadores: Montenegro inspires River
by England
Inter owner opens way for possible Ronaldo return (Reuters)
March 17, 2006By James Eve
Ligue 1 fixtures (Reuters)
March 17, 2006March 17 (Infostrada Sports) - Fixtures from the Ligue 1 matches on Friday
Antonio Carlos banned for elbow and racist insults (Reuters)
March 17, 2006Former AS Roma and Brazil defender Antonio Carlos was banned for 120 days for aggression and a further four matches for racially insulting an opponent during a match.
Kaviedes gets another chance for Ecuador (Reuters)
March 17, 2006World Cup finalists Ecuador have given another chance to temperamental striker Ivan Kaviedes by naming him in the squad for this month's friendly in Japan.