CONCACAF bans games at Costa Rica stadium following disturbances (AP)
April 3, 2006The regional soccer governing body on Monday banned Costa Rica's Saprissa Stadium from hosting international matches following last week's disturbances at a Saprissa-Toluca match. CONCACAF said the ban will be in place "at least until an investigation of the events has been completed," said CONCACAF secretary general Chuck Blazer.
UPDATE 1-Soccer-Blackburn European ambitions dented by Wigan (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(repeats to fix format)
Brazil president backs 2014 World Cup bid (Reuters)
April 3, 2006Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva promised on Monday to back the country's bid to host the 2014 World Cup.
De Zeeuw: We were unlucky
April 3, 2006Wigan skipper Arjan de Zeeuw felt his team were unlucky not to beat Blackburn after it appeared John Filan may have been fouled in the build-up to Rovers' equaliser in their 1-1 draw.
Rovers rally earns draw with Wigan
April 3, 2006EPL: Shefki Kuqi scored his first goal since Boxing Day to keep Blackburn's Champions League dream alive against Wigan. Jason Roberts scored for the Latics in the 52nd minute to set up Kuqi's dramatic equalizer.
Defending champion Sao Paulo battles Chivas
April 3, 2006Copa Libertadores: With Brazil's hottest young player and a 19-game unbeaten streak, Sao Paulo expects to wrest the Group 1 lead from Mexico's Chivas on Wednesday. Brazilian champion Corinthians and Argentine powerhouse River Plate also have their eyes on the group lead this week,.
Barcelona's Motta out for two weeks
April 3, 2006FC Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta will be sidelined for two weeks after straining his right thigh against Real Madrid last weekend. Motta will miss Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Benfica at Camp Nou stadium, together with the Spanish league games versus Racing Santander and Villarreal. The Brazilian pulled up as he began to pursue Ronaldo in the 37th minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Camp Nou.
Villarreal aims to maintain success
April 3, 2006Villarreal is aiming to qualify for the semifinals of the Champions League in just its seventh season in the Spanish first division when it hosts Inter Milan on Tuesday.
CL: AC Milan to play Inzaghi, Shevchenko
April 3, 2006AC Milan plans to start high-scoring duo of Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko when it hosts Lyon on Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Malmo and IFK Gothenburg draw opening matches (Reuters)
April 3, 2006Malmo came from behind to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw with BK Haecken in their opening match of the Swedish first division on Monday.
Blackburn's European ambitions dented by Wigan (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(adds details, quotes)
Upset Mansion pull out of United shirt talks (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(updates with United statement, adds deal is for shirts)
Levski planning legal action against English referee (Reuters)
April 3, 2006Levski Sofia owner Todor Batkov says he will take legal action against English referee Mike Riley who officiated the first leg of the UEFA Cup quarter-final against Schalke 04 last week.
Manchester United accused of "double-dealing" (SportsTicker)
April 3, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Furious Mansion chief negotiator David Kinsman has accused Manchester United of "double-dealing" after the Red Devils pulled the plug on a world-record sponsorship deal.
Villarreal draw hope from attack-minded Inter (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(Adds Mancini quotes)
'Double-dealing' Man United snub £70m deal
April 3, 2006'Double-dealing' Man United snub £70m deal
by England
Owen reveals 'panic' over World Cup dream
April 3, 2006Owen reveals 'panic' over World Cup dream
by England
Blackburn 1-1 Wigan: Controversial night
April 3, 2006Blackburn 1-1 Wigan: Controversial night
by England
Injury ends season for Boro's Mendieta
April 3, 2006Injury ends season prematurely for Boro's Mendieta
by England
Levski plan legal action against ref Riley
April 3, 2006Levski plan legal action against ref Riley
by Europe
PSG, Marseille docked one point each
April 3, 2006Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille were docked one point each Monday by a French soccer ethics panel after a clash over ticketing arrangements. The presidents of each team were also suspended for three months. A dispute over the number of tickets available to Marseille fans at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium on March 5 led to Marseilles fielding a reserve team. The match ended 0-0.
After 10 months of headaches, 'Esky' returns
April 3, 2006The headaches never seemed to stop for D.C. United's Alecko Eskandarian. Loud noise and bright lights would set them off. Playing soccer - especially heading the ball - was out of the question. Some 10 months after a collision with a goalkeeper nearly wrecked his career, Eskandarian wore padded black headgear and returned with a flourish, scoring a goal within minutes of taking the field in United's regular-season opener.
Red Bulls 2, United 2
April 3, 2006D.C. United rallied with second-half goals from Alecko Eskandarian and Facundo Erpen, salvaging a 2-2 tie Sunday with the new-look New York Red Bulls in the MLS opener for both teams. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Eskandarian provided a boost in his first regular season game since a scary concussion sidelined him for most of last season. His left-footed volley in the 56th minute cut the deficit to one, and Argentine defender Erpen tied the game in the 65th with his second career MLS goal.
Mexico leaves Blanco off World Cup roster (AP)
April 3, 2006Cuauhtemoc Blanco is being left off Mexico's World Cup roster in a move that appears was partly caused by a strained relationship with coach Ricardo Lavolpe. Lavolpe announced a 26-man roster Sunday night that must be pared to 23 by May 15, when rosters must be submitted to FIFA. The 33-year-old Blanco, a member of Mexico's World Cup teams in 1998 and 2002, is known for his often-caustic comments...
Mansion pulls out of $120.9m Man United talks (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(updates with quotes from Mansion)
PSG, Marseille docked a point, presidents banned (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(Updates with both clubs appealing against the ruling)
Mansion pulls out of $120.9m Man United sponsorship talks (Reuters)
April 3, 2006Entertainment company Mansion pulled out of 70 million-pound ($120.9 million) sponsorship talks with English Premier League Manchester United on Monday.
Leaders Dinamo Bucharest fire coach (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(adds quotes, detail)
Ferrera replaces Ceulemans as Club Bruges coach (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(Releads, adds quotes, details)
Fabregas and Eboue fit for Juventus showdown
April 3, 2006Fabregas and Eboue fit for Turin trip
by UEFA Champions League
Man Utd's £70m sponsorship deal collapses
April 3, 2006Man Utd's £70m sponsorship deal collapses
by England
Newcastle chief promises top class manager
April 3, 2006Newcastle chief promises top class manager
by England
Diamond striker Tomlin to train with Reds
April 3, 2006Diamond striker Tomlin to train with Reds
by England
Swansea pair to be interviewed by police
April 3, 2006Swansea pair to be interviewed by police
by England
PSG, Marseille docked a point, presidents banned
April 3, 2006PSG, Marseille docked a point, presidents banned
by Europe
German corruption watchdog warns sport at risk
April 3, 2006German corruption watchdog warns sport at risk
by Europe
Rummenigge fires broadside at FIFA
April 3, 2006Rummenigge fires broadside at FIFA
by Global
Davis: Brown tried to hurt me
April 3, 2006Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis has accused former Tottenham team-mate Michael Brown of attempting to break his leg.
Togo finalise warm-up programme for World Cup (Reuters)
April 3, 2006Togo will play friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Liechtenstein to warm up for the World Cup finals in Germany.
Ghana consider changing pre-World Cup camp to Austria (Reuters)
April 3, 2006Ghana are considering switching their pre-World Cup preparations from Portugal to Austria after being offered free use of training facilities by Austrian officials, the Ghana Football Association said.
Japan coach Zico discharged after stomach scare (Reuters)
April 3, 2006(adds JFA quotes, detail)
Brown tried to break my leg, insists Davis
April 3, 2006Brown tried to break my leg, insists Davis
by England
Saha issues warning to league leaders Chelsea
April 3, 2006Saha issues warning to league leaders Chelsea
by England
Mourinho unconcerned about diminishing lead
April 3, 2006Mourinho unconcerned about diminishing lead
by England
Blackburn aim to step up European bid
April 3, 2006Blackburn aim to step up European bid
by England
No-one earned their wages, raps Man City boss
April 3, 2006No-one earned their wages, raps Pearce
by England
Villa's Laursen sets mid-May comeback target
April 3, 2006Laursen sets mid-May comeback target
by England
Pennant: It's payback time for Birmingham
April 3, 2006Pennant: It's payback time
by England
Swansea's Trundle faces possible police action
April 3, 2006Swansea's Trundle faces possible police action
by England
Juve's Nedved vows to make Gunners 'sweat'
April 3, 2006Juve's Nedved vows to make Gunners 'sweat'
by UEFA Champions League
Chastened Milan have eyes only for Lyon
April 3, 2006Chastened Milan have eyes only for Lyon
by UEFA Champions League
Villarreal seek 'catenaccio' win over Inter
April 3, 2006Villarreal seek 'catenaccio' win over Inter
by UEFA Champions League
Referees under fire after Primera Liga controversy
April 3, 2006Referees under fire after Primera Liga controversy
by Europe
Zico leaves hospital following stomach scare
April 3, 2006Zico leaves hospital following stomach scare
by Global
Nine-man Boca beat Banfield, River thrashed
April 3, 2006Nine-man Boca beat Banfield, River thrashed
by Global
Paulista down to wire as Sao Paulo beat Santos
April 3, 2006Paulista down to wire as Sao Paulo beat Santos
by Global
Powerhouses struggle ahead of second legs
April 3, 2006Champions League Preview: AC Milan and Juventus have forgotten how to score and Barcelona seems to have lost the winning habit. Maybe the Champions League is going to one of the teams who have never won it, or at least not for a very long time.
Wenger transforms kids into warriors
April 3, 2006Arsenal boss Arsenal Wenger is sometimes referred to as the Professor. Nick Webster looks at Wenger's latest Highbury experiment, the transformation of kids into battle-hardened warriors in double-quick time.
Chivas USA 3, Real Salt Lake 0
April 3, 2006Ante Razov scored two goals and Juan Pablo Garcia added another as Chivas USA beat Real Salt Lake 3-0 Sunday in the season opener for both teams.
Major League Soccer Roundup, Apr. 2
April 3, 2006MLS Wrap: Ante Razov scored two goals on debut for Chivas USA and Juan Pablo Garcia added another to lead their side to a 3-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.
English Premier League Roundup, Apr. 2
April 3, 2006Goalkeeper Thomas Myhre made a reflex save on a shot by Teddy Sheringham in the 83rd minute, denying the West Ham striker a goal on his 40th birthday in a 0-0 draw with Charlton on Sunday.
Mexico leave Blanco out of World Cup squad (Reuters)
April 3, 2006Mexico's gifted but volatile forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco will miss this summer's World Cup finals after being omitted from coach Ricardo La Volpe's provisional 26-man squad on Sunday.
Japan coach Zico leaves hospital following stomach scare (Reuters)
April 3, 2006Japan coach Zico left hospital on Monday after spending the night under observation because of severe stomach pains, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said.
Razov leads Chivas past Real Salt Lake
April 3, 2006MLS Wrap: Ante Razov scored two goals and Juan Pablo Garcia added another to lead Chivas USA to a 3-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Razov, the fourth-leading scorer in MLS history, made an impact in his debut with his new team.
Mexican Roundup, Apr. 2
April 3, 2006Fernando Morales scored in the opening minute of the second half and Pumas UNAM went on to beat Jaguares 2-1 Sunday, giving Guillermo Vazquez a victorious debut as coach and handing the Chiapas club only its second loss in the Mexican Clausura championship.
Argentine Roundup, Apr. 2
April 3, 2006Boca Juniors won, Newell's drew, and both caught River Plate on points atop the standings Sunday in the 13th round of the Argentine Clausura championship. Lanus trounced River 4-1 and climbed to fourth place. River, Boca and Newell's all have 25 points, one more than Lanus, two better than Gimnasia Jujuy and three ahead of Velez Sarsfield. Hugo Ibarra scored in injury time for nine-man Boca Juniors, which defeated Banfield 2-1 at Bombonera stadium.