PREVIEW-Soccer-Italy's European contenders face off (Reuters)
March 23, 2006By Simon Evans
Paraguay name four uncapped players for Mexico friendly (Reuters)
March 23, 2006World Cup finalists Paraguay have named four uncapped players in a largely experimental squad for next Wednesday's friendly against Mexico in Chicago.
FAC: Charlton, Middlesbrough draw 0-0
March 23, 2006FA Cup: Charlton and Middlesbrough played to a 0-0 draw Thursday in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, failing to decide the the last club to to advance to the final four of England's premier knockout competition.
Arena: Playing Germany was a mistake
March 23, 2006A day after his team's fiasco against Germany, U.S. coach Bruce Arena blamed himself for scheduling the game. The American team was overwhelmed and Arena didn't offer much encouragement in his assessment.
USA coach Arena, Keller sound off
March 23, 2006The message was clear: The Americans got a wake-up call tonight, and some of these players won't be around anymore
Czech's Koller likely to play at World Cup
March 23, 2006Jan Koller will likely recover from a knee injury in time to play at the World Cup. The Borussia Dortmund striker had been expected to be sidelined for at least eight months after tearing ligaments in his left knee during a Bundesliga match in September. Koller, the Czech Republic's record scorer, told coach Karel Bruckner he was training with Dortmund and wants to return for his club's last two matches this season, Czech team spokesman Lukas Tucek said Thursday.
Chelsea hit with second FA disciplinary charge
March 23, 2006Chelsea hit with second FA disciplinary charge
by England
Spurs coach Jol 'not interested' in PSV job
March 23, 2006Spurs coach Jol 'not interested' in PSV job
by England
Kidney operation ends season for Osasuna's Valdo (Reuters)
March 23, 2006(Updates after operation)
Europe superclubs could face Champions League shutout: UEFA (AFP)
March 23, 2006European football's governing body UEFA warned it could bar the continent's top clubs from its competitions next season if they refused to abide by the organisation's rules.
Europe superclubs deny split plans after UEFA criticism (AFP)
March 23, 2006The G14 grouping of Europe's top football clubs denied it was planning to set up a breakway superleague following stinging criticism from governing body UEFA.
French coach Troussier and wife convert to Islam (AFP)
March 23, 2006Frenchman Philippe Troussier and his wife Dominique have converted to Islam in the Moroccan capital where they live, sources close to the couple confirmed.
Chelsea in hot water with FA once again (SportsTicker)
March 23, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - The Football Association is after Chelsea once again.
Former Fiorentina player's death raises doping suspicions (AFP)
March 23, 2006The death of a fourth former Fiorentina player has raised suspicions that their fatal illnesses may have been caused by drugs given to them by the club.
Arena: Playing Germany was a mistake (AP)
March 23, 2006A day after his team's fiasco against Germany, U.S. coach Bruce Arena blamed himself for scheduling the game. An undermanned American team was overwhelmed by the Germans 4-1 Wednesday night in Dortmund, and Arena didn't offer much encouragement in his assessment. "We had anywhere from two to three first-team players playing, seven, eight, nine players fighting for a roster spot," he said after...
Steaua Bucharest fans' leader arrested (Reuters)
March 23, 2006(repeats with correct slug)
Klinsmann gets muted headlines
March 23, 2006Jürgen Klinsmann and his young Germany team have some much needed breathing space after a 4-1 win over the United States. The win over an under-strength U.S. team let Klinsmann hit back at the critics who blasted him after a 4-1 loss in Italy three weeks ago.
Question of when, not if, for Juventus
March 23, 2006Juventus' 10-point lead atop Serie A with only eight rounds remaining is so large that a national betting service has already stopped accepting wagers for the title race.
FAC: Addicks' litmus test
March 23, 2006Chris Powell believes Thursday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Middlesbrough could make or break Charlton's season.
Internet swap portal to start Monday
March 23, 2006The Internet portal to return and transfer World Cup tickets will become operational Monday. The portal will remain open until April 9 in the first stage, organizers said Friday. It will reopen May 1 and remain operational through the World Cup, with the deadline for returning and transferring tickets up to two days before each match. The organizing committee will accept all tickets being returned and will offer them for resale.
UEFA tells G14 clubs to toe the line or leave
March 23, 2006The power struggle in European soccer escalated Thursday, with governing body UEFA telling elite clubs to stay in line or go it alone.
Leaders of FIFA, UEFA slam G14 elitism
March 23, 2006FIFA president Sepp Blatter urged representatives of Europe's 52 national soccer associations to maintain solidarity in the face of a legal challenge by a group of major European clubs.
'Why I'm backing Portsmouth to survive'
March 23, 2006It's all change at the bottom of the table with our man in the Sky now backing Pompey to survive.
Redknapp on course for another escape act
March 23, 2006EPL Preview: The papers are calling him "Harry Houdini." Veteran soccer manager Harry Redknapp is trying to pull off an amazing escape act with relegation-threatened Portsmouth, and he could just do it.
Second agent charged in Belgian game-fixing scandal (AP)
March 23, 2006A second player agent was charged in a widening game-fixing scandal Thursday, and Belgian authorities plan to extend their investigation to Finland and Germany. The unidentified agent admitted trying to bribe two players in the Belgian league, asking them to lose a game for a gambling syndicate, the prosecutor's office said.
Real should concentrate on finishing second says Ramos (Reuters)
March 23, 2006Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has recognised that his team have almost no chance of winning the league title and should concentrate instead on securing the runners-up spot behind Barcelona.
Sociedad sack Arconada, appoint Bakero as coach (Reuters)
March 23, 2006(Adds Arconada quotes paras 10-11)
Fearful football alienating fans, says Charlton chairman (Reuters)
March 23, 2006By Mitch Phillips
Bayern eye Van Bommel as Ballack replacement (Reuters)
March 23, 2006Bayern Munich have targeted Mark van Bommel as the ideal replacement for Michael Ballack and will find out in the next few weeks if a deal can be done with Barcelona for the Dutch midfielder, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Thursday.
UEFA threatens dissident clubs with exclusion (Reuters)
March 23, 2006(adds quote from G14 in fifth para)
Poll says Birmingham fans want Bruce out
March 23, 2006Poll says Birmingham fans want Bruce out
by England
Capello admits England job would be 'a dream'
March 23, 2006Capello admits England job would be 'a dream'
by World Cup
City veteran Cole out for rest of season
March 23, 2006City veteran Cole out for rest of season
by England
Veteran Neville planning on career-long stay
March 23, 2006Veteran Neville planning on career-long stay
by England
Arteta pins allegiances ahead of derby
March 23, 2006Arteta pins allegiances ahead of derby
by England
UEFA steps up opposition to 'pompous' G14
March 23, 2006UEFA steps up opposition to 'pompous' G14
by Europe
G14 deny plans for breakaway league
March 23, 2006G14 deny plans for breakaway league
by Europe
Bayern target Van Bommel as Ballack replacement
March 23, 2006Bayern target Van Bommel as Ballack replacement
by Europe
Kallstrom flattered by reported Le Guen interest
March 23, 2006Kallstrom flattered by reported Le Guen interest
by Europe
Desailly 'pessimistic' over France's World Cup hopes
March 23, 2006Desailly 'pessimistic' over France's World Cup hopes
by World Cup
Sullivan slams Blues misfits
March 23, 2006Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan has given his backing to manager Steve Bruce but is furious with the club's under-performing players.
Authorities charge a second agent
March 23, 2006Belgian authorities charged a second agent in a widening match-fixing scandal Thursday and said they plan to extend their investigation to Finland and Germany.
Sociedad fires coach Arconada
March 23, 2006Real Sociedad fired coach Gonzalo Arconada on Thursday after less than two months in charge.
Thursday's Tuneful Transfer Talk
March 23, 2006I should be so Luque, singing the Blues and all the other rumors...
City veteran Cole out for rest of season
March 23, 2006City veteran Cole out for rest of season
by England
'Don't rule out foreigners', Scolari tells FA
March 23, 2006'Don't rule out foreigners', Scolari tells FA
by World Cup
'Pearce is ready for England Job', insists Butcher
March 23, 2006'Pearce is ready for England Job', insists Butcher
by World Cup
Bench-warmer Defoe fears for World Cup place
March 23, 2006Bench-warmer Defoe fears for World Cup place
by World Cup
Shearer to finish Newcastle career potless
March 23, 2006Shearer to finish Newcastle career potless
by England
Solskjaer set for new United contract
March 23, 2006Solskjaer set for new United contract
by England
McClaren and Boro ready for week of destiny
March 23, 2006McClaren and Boro ready for week of destiny
by England
Gill deflects talk that Ruud is unsettled
March 23, 2006Gill deflects talk that Ruud is unsettled
by England
Hearts chief Romanov justifies Rix sacking
March 23, 2006Hearts chief Romanov justifies Rix sacking
by Europe
Palermo get slender Roma lead in Coppa
March 23, 2006Palermo get slender Roma lead in Coppa
by Europe
Libertadores: Tevez puts Corinthians back on course
March 23, 2006Libertadores: Tevez puts Corinthians back on course
by Global
Desailly pessimistic over France's World Cup chances (Reuters)
March 23, 2006By Pierre Serisier
Will the Real Ronaldo please stand up? (AFP)
March 23, 2006Real Madrid's three-time World Player of the Year Ronaldo couldn't hide his relief after finally finding the net following 36 barren days in which the Spanish giants have gone into a downward spiral.
Punter pays million-pound penalty for fluffed spot-kick (AFP)
March 23, 2006A British man missed out on a one million pound (1.74 million dollar) payday after a penalty blunder scuppered what would have been a remarkable football betting coup.
United to offer Solskjaer pay-as-you-play deal (AFP)
March 23, 2006Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the hero of Manchester United's 1999 European Cup win, has been assured he will be kept on by the club after his current contract expires at the end of the season.
Manchester City's Cole out for rest of season (Reuters)
March 23, 2006Manchester City striker Andy Cole has had more surgery on a damaged knee ligament and will be out for the rest of the season, the Premier League club said on Thursday.
Atletico signs coach Oliveira
March 23, 2006Atletico Paranaense has signed coach Givanildo Oliveira to replace Lothar Matthaeus, who quit after less than three months with the Brazilian club.
Brazilian Cup Roundup, Mar. 22
March 23, 2006Midfielder Marcao scored a pair of goals and Fluminense rallied for a 5-3 victory over Cene to reach the round of 16 of the Brazilian Cup on Wednesday.
CTL: Internacional rallies to beat Pumas
March 23, 2006Substitute striker Adriano scored a 75th-minute winner and Brazil's Internacional overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Mexico's UNAM Pumas 3-2 in Group 6 of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday.
Copa Libertadores Roundup, Mar. 22
March 23, 2006CTL Wrap: Brazil's Internacional rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Mexico's Pumas UNAM 3-2 in Group 6 of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday. Brazilian clubs Goias and Corinthians also moved closer to advancing.
Chelsea under siege once more after FA Cup win (AFP)
March 23, 2006Chelsea's magnetic attraction for controversy was in evidence once more after skipper John Terry's goal sent the Premiership champions into the last four of the FA Cup at the expense of Newcastle.
O'Neill gets Robson backing for England job (AFP)
March 23, 2006Sir Bobby Robson has said Martin O'Neill cannot be overlooked when the Football Association consider who should succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach.