Sheringham aims to mark 40th birthday with West Ham start (Reuters)
March 31, 2006By Talal Malik
Ferguson gets surgery go-ahead (AFP)
March 31, 2006Rangers captain Barry Ferguson can have an operation before the end of the season as far as the Glasgow giants' manager, Alex McLeish, is concerned.
Wenger wants FIFA lead on diving (AFP)
March 31, 2006Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has added his voice to calls for FIFA to clear the way for post-match punishment of players caught diving.
Costa Rica coach laments lack of warmup time (Reuters)
March 31, 2006By John McPhaul
Sam readies for United clash
March 31, 2006EPL Preview: Bolton may have been permanent members of the Premiership's top eight this season but manager Sam Allardyce still considers Saturday's clash against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United a mismatch.
Matthaeus owes nearly $6,000 in phone bills
March 31, 2006Atletico Paranaense said former coach Lothar Matthaeus left the club without paying almost $6,000 (€4,900) in phone bills.
Bayern Munich players in the clear
March 31, 2006An investigation into Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich players in Germany's match-fixing scandal was dropped on Friday. The players were also cleared of betting on their own team's matches. "We couldn't find any relevant information to build a case," Munich chief district attorney Anton Winkler said. The Munich daily Taz linked a Bayern Munich player to match-fixing, creating a nationwide stir, then was forced to retract the story and fired two editors.
Jamie Trecker's 2006 MLS Preview
March 31, 2006It's been an exciting, yet turbulent offseason for Major League Soccer, but Jamie Trecker is looking forward to season eleven as the U.S. topflight kicks off this weekend in Dallas. What lies ahead in 2006 for MLS?
Leaders Anderlecht held at home by Lokeren
March 31, 2006Leaders Anderlecht held at home by Lokeren
by Europe
Al Ahli, JS Kabylie advance in African Champions League
March 31, 2006Al Ahli, JS Kabylie advance
by Global
Al Ahli, JS Kabylie advance in African Champions League (Reuters)
March 31, 2006Holders Al Ahli and former winners JS Kabylie recorded 3-0 wins in their African Champions League second round, second leg ties on Friday.
Germany wary of new threats at World Cup (AP)
March 31, 2006Germany is wary of new security threats at the World Cup -- East European hooligans and potential violence at hundreds of jumbo screens showing the games across the country. "As new developments they present new dangers," August Hanning, state secretary of the Interior Ministry responsible for security, said Friday.
Watford hopes nosedive after defeat at Crystal Palace (Reuters)
March 31, 2006Third-placed Watford's hopes of automatic promotion from the English second division were dealt a serious blow by a 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Friday.
Bradley seeks to make Chivas USA a winner (AP)
March 31, 2006Major League Soccer's winningest coach will start his ninth season this weekend trying to reverse the fortunes of one of the league's worst teams. Bob Bradley, who won 114 games and an MLS Cup with two teams, will guide Chivas USA in its season opener Sunday against Real Salt Lake at the Home Depot Center.
Telkiiski doubtful for Sofia derby (Reuters)
March 31, 2006Levski Sofia midfielder Dimitar Telkiiski is struggling with a leg injury and is doubtful for Sunday's Bulgarian Premier League derby against leaders CSKA, the club said on Friday.
Soccer copes with cheating as World Cup looms (AP)
March 31, 2006The winger falls theatrically to the turf to get a free kick for a nonexistent foul. A striker slyly controls the ball with his hand before firing it into the net. Furious defenders surround the referee, waving imaginary cards in hopes of getting an opponent ejected. With the World Cup just more than two months away, the "beautiful game" is trying to cope with a persistent problem -- cheating.
Levski Sofia to appeal against Bardon red card (Reuters)
March 31, 2006Levski Sofia will appeal against French midfielder Cedric Bardon's sending off during Thursday's UEFA Cup quarter-final, first leg with Schalke 04.
Italy's Lippi puts off contract talks
March 31, 2006World Cup: Marcello Lippi wants to wait until after the World Cup to discuss his future as Italy coach. Italian soccer federation president Franco Carraro said Friday he had approached Lippi about an extension and the coach asked that talks be delayed until after the June 9-July 9 tournament in Germany.
Henry will announce future before World Cup
March 31, 2006Thierry Henry will announce whether he is staying with Arsenal before this year's World Cup. "At the end of the season we are going to have to take a decision," Henry told the club's TV network. "It will be done before the World Cup, that's for sure."
Wenger won't desert Gunners
March 31, 2006Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reiterated his long-term commitment to the club and vowed to "see the job through".
Rivaldo extends contract with Olympiakos
March 31, 2006Brazilian star Rivaldo has renewed his contract with Greek league leader Olympiakos.
Sheringham celebrates 40th birthday
March 31, 2006Teddy Sheringham turns 40 on Sunday, and 35,000 fans at West Ham will help him celebrate.
Spanish soccer referees call off strike
March 31, 2006Spanish soccer referees called off a strike Friday that would have disrupted this weekend's league matches, including the game between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The strike was called off when the referees' commission consulted its members after Thursday's announcement by the soccer league that first and second-division referees would receive all outstanding payments for February and March. Top flight referees were each owed about $14,440.
Barca vs. Real in doubt with strike threat
March 31, 2006La Liga Preview: The eagerly awaited Spanish league match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid remained in doubt Thursday after the referees maintained their threat to go on strike.
WC: Refs dominated by Europe, S. America
March 31, 2006Europe and Latin America dominated the list of 23 referees chosen by FIFA on Friday for this summer's World Cup in Germany.
Dutch-Belgian league in Van Basten's plans
March 31, 2006Netherlands coach Marco van Basten wants Dutch and Belgian clubs to form a single league to try to match the size and wealth of Europe's other national competitions.
Bayern join chase for Argentine teen Aguero (AFP)
March 31, 2006German giants Bayern Munich have joined the chase for Argentine teen striker Sergio Aguero by offering a reported 15.7 million euros (19m dollars) to his club Independiente.
Lyon rest players before Milan game (AFP)
March 31, 2006Four of Lyon's first team players will be rested from Saturday's French league action, coach Gerard Houllier confirmed, because of their big return match at AC Milan next week.
No Americans among 23 World Cup referees (SportsTicker)
March 31, 2006ZURICH, Switzerland (Ticker) - American soccer players increasingly are being respected for their skill on the pitch. That apparently is not with case with American officials.
Gretna's Cup elopement nears happy ending (Reuters)
March 31, 2006(adds latest team news in last three paras)
Henry to decide future before World Cup (SportsTicker)
March 31, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Arsenal striker Thierry Henry insists his future will be resolved before June's World Cup in Germany.
Wenger pledges commitment to Arsenal (SportsTicker)
March 31, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Arsene Wenger has confirmed his long-term commitment to Arsenal and vowed to "see the job through" as his young players start to make an impact.
New Wembley will not open until next year (SportsTicker)
March 31, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - The new English national soccer stadium at Wembley will not open until 2007.
Fortune set for Man Utd exit
March 31, 2006Fortune set for Man Utd exit
by England
Harry to recall Stefanovic just weeks after op?
March 31, 2006Harry to recall Stefanovic just weeks after op?
by England
Carr to face Spurs boo boys
March 31, 2006Carr to face Spurs boo boys
by England
Ligue 1: Olympique Lyon march towards fifth title
March 31, 2006Ligue 1: Olympique Lyon march towards fifth title
by Europe
Playmaker Rivaldo agrees new Olympiakos deal
March 31, 2006Playmaker Rivaldo agrees new Olympiakos deal
by Europe
Bachini receives life ban for cocaine use
March 31, 2006Siena midfielder Jonathan Bachini received a life ban from the Italian league after testing positive for cocaine twice. The ban, handed out by the league's disciplinary commission on Thursday, precludes Bachini from playing in any soccer league of the 205 countries associated with FIFA.
Partizan must beat Red Star to keep title hopes alive (Reuters)
March 31, 2006By Zoran Milosavljevic
FA says Wembley won't be ready until 2007 (AP)
March 31, 2006The new Wembley Stadium won't be ready until 2007 because of more construction delays, the Football Association said Friday. The latest setback in the renovations means the Aug. 13 Community Shield -- pitting the league champion against the FA Cup champion -- and three England games will be moved to other venues.
Ferguson talks up Allardyce's England prospects (Reuters)
March 31, 2006By Pete Oliver
Henry promises decision on future before World Cup (AFP)
March 31, 2006Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has insisted his club future will be resolved before the World Cup finals get underway in Germany in June.
Silvinho out of Barcelona squad for Real match (Reuters)
March 31, 2006Brazilian fullback Silvinho has been left out of the Barcelona squad to play Real Madrid in the Primera Liga on Saturday for precautionary reasons.
Horror injury rules Pogatetz out for season (AFP)
March 31, 2006Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz will sit out the rest of the season after suffering serious facial injuries in the club's 2-0 UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg defeat by FC Basel.
Make World Cup smoke-free, health groups urge (Reuters)
March 31, 2006An alliance of health groups urged World Cup organisers on Friday to ban smoking at the 12 stadiums to be used during the June 9-July 9 tournament.
Solskjaer gets new United deal (AFP)
March 31, 2006Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a new two-year contract with Manchester United aimed at easing the Norwegian forward's transition into coaching, the club confirmed.
Sir Alex backs Allardyce as England boss
March 31, 2006Sir Alex backs Allardyce as England boss
by England
'I'll decide on future before World Cup' - Henry
March 31, 2006'I'll decide on future before World Cup' - Henry
by England
FA confirm Wembley will not re-open until 2007
March 31, 2006FA confirm Wembley will not re-open until 2007
by England
Solskjaer signs new deal, eyes OT coaching role
March 31, 2006Solskjaer signs new deal, eyes OT coaching role
by England
Boro defender Pogatetz out for the season
March 31, 2006Boro defender Pogatetz out for the season
by England
La Liga: Real aim to spoil Barca's pre-title party
March 31, 2006La Liga: Real aim to spoil Barca's pre-title party
by Europe
Serie A: Roma face Fiorentina in Euro showdown
March 31, 2006Serie A: Roma face Fiorentina in Euro showdown
by Europe
Bundesliga: Stage set for Podolski to impress Bayern
March 31, 2006Bundesliga: Stage set for Podolski to impress Bayern
by Europe
McClaren: Strikers can save us
March 31, 2006Boro boss Steve McClaren is backing his in-form strikers to rescue the club's UEFA Cup dream after their 2-0 loss to Basle. Boro will head into next Thursday's quarter-final, second-leg clash with Basle needing at least two goals.
State media prints public calls for Vietnam minister to resign
March 31, 2006Vietnam's transport minister is facing calls from the public to resign amid an intensifying investigation into a soccer-betting scandal involving his ministry, state-controlled newspaper reported Friday.
Etcheverry says goodbye to football
March 31, 2006Marco Etcheverry, one of Bolivia's greatest soccer players, scored three goals in a match organized in his honor on Thursday. Bolivia's 1994 World Cup side lost 10-7 to Etcheverry and a team of South American stars, including Paraguay's Jose Luis Chilavert, Ecuador's Alex Aguinaga, and Argentina's Hector Raul Gorosito before 15,000 fans at Tahuichi Aguilera stadium in Santa Cruz.
Copa Libertadores Roundup, Mar 31
March 31, 2006Dario Conca scored a late free kick to help Universidad Catolica edge Deportivo Cali 3-2 and eliminate them from the Copa Libertadores. In other matches, Libertad earned a 1-1 draw with El Nacional and Maracaibo downed UNAM Pumas 3-0 to eliminated them.
Tottenham announce jump in pre-tax profifts (Reuters)
March 31, 2006Premier League Tottenham announced pre-tax six-month profits of 4.4 million pounds ($7.67 million) on Friday, up from 1 million pounds over the same period the year before.
FA set to confirm Wembley delayed until 2007
March 31, 2006FA set to confirm Wembley delayed until 2007
by England
Jol predicting derby Euro decider
March 31, 2006Jol predicting derby Euro decider
by England
McClaren still hopeful of UEFA Cup semi spot
March 31, 2006McClaren still hopeful of UEFA Cup semi spot
by England
Harry to recall Stefanovic just weeks after op
March 31, 2006Harry to recall Stefanovic just weeks after op
by England
Becks happy to stay in Madrid despite upheavals
March 31, 2006Becks happy to stay in Madrid despite upheavals
by England
Galaxy face new challenges in try for repeat
March 31, 2006The Los Angeles Galaxy went into last year's Major League Soccer playoffs as the lowest-seeded team, then needed extra time to beat the New England Revolution for the title. To have any hope of repeating, they'll have to overcome an even more difficult set of challenges when the MLS season gets under way on Saturday - beginning with the loss of their soccer-savvy, inspirational leader.
CTL: Maracaibo defeats Pumas 3-0
March 31, 2006Cristian Casseres, Giancarlo Maldonado and Rafael Castellin each scored as Maracaibo of Venezuela handily defeated Mexico's UNAM Pumas 3-0 in Group 6 of the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.