Celtic wins 40th Scottish title
April 5, 2006SPL: Celtic won its fourth Scottish league title in six seasons and 40th overall with a 1-0 victory over Hearts on Wednesday. John Hartson, playing on his 31st birthday, scored the only goal of the game in the fourth minute in front of 60,000 fans at Celtic Park.
Champions League Roundup, Apr. 5
April 5, 2006Champions League Wrap: FC Barcelona is back in the semifinals. Arsenal is there for the first time. Ronaldinho scored in the 19th minute Wednesday to help Barcelona to a 2-0 win over Benfica and a spot in the last four after a 2-0 aggregate victory.
Hartson secures 40th league title for Celtic (Reuters)
April 5, 2006(adds Strachan quotes)
Arsenal, Barcelona reach Champions League semis (Reuters)
April 5, 2006By Tony Jimenez
Barcelona, Arsenal join AC Milan and VIllarreal in Champions League semifinals (AP)
April 5, 2006Barcelona is back in the semifinals of the Champions League. Arsenal is there for the first time. Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o scored to lead Barcelona over visiting Benfica 2-0 Wednesday night following a 0-0 tie in the first leg. Coming off a 2-0 win at home, Arsenal played a 0-0 tie at Juventus to win the total-goals series.
Angola bring forward Argentina friendly (Reuters)
April 5, 2006Angola have brought forward their World Cup friendly against Argentina in Naples by one day to avoid a clash with Italy's match against Switzerland, the Angolan Football Federation said on Wednesday.
Arsenal, Barcelona through to Champions League semifinals (SportsTicker)
April 5, 2006TURIN, Italy (Ticker) - Arsenal advanced to the Champions League semifinals for the first time after playing host Juventus to a scoreless draw on Wednesday.
Barcelona 2-0 Benfica: Ronnie makes amends
April 5, 2006Barcelona 2-0 Benfica: Ronnie makes amends
by UEFA Champions League
Rijkaard cautious as Milan semi-final awaits
April 5, 2006Rijkaard cautious as Milan semi-final awaits
by Simon Baskett
Juventus 0-0 Arsenal: Gunners make history
April 5, 2006Juventus 0-0 Arsenal: Gunners make history
by UEFA Champions League
Wenger buoyant after booking date with Villarreal
April 5, 2006Wenger buoyant after booking date with Villarreal
by UEFA Champions League
Celtic crowned SPL Champions after beating Hearts
April 5, 2006Celtic crowned SPL Champions after beating Hearts
by Europe
Moyes keen for Ferrari to extend Goodison stay
April 5, 2006Moyes keen for Ferrari to extend Goodison stay
by England
CL: Arsenal reaches semifinals for first time
April 5, 2006Champions League: Arsenal advanced to the Champions League semifinals for the first time Wednesday following a 0-0 draw with Juventus. The Gunners advanced 2-0 on aggregate. Arsenal will meet Spanish club Villarreal in the semifinals on April 19 and 25.
Yanagisawa optimistic about WC chances
April 5, 2006World Cup: Japan forward Atsushi Yanagisawa was released from hospital Wednesday and says he hopes to fit in time to play in June's World Cup finals. Yanagisawa returned to J-League side Kashima Antlers on loan from Italian team Messina in order to boost his World Cup hopes.
Visa to sponsor FIFA and World Cup
April 5, 2006Visa and FIFA will sign a sponsorship agreement Thursday worth an estimated $150-200 million. Visa will be introduced as FIFA's new financial services partner at a news conference at the soccer body's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
Swansea players arrested for obscenity
April 5, 2006Swansea players Lee Trundle and Alan Tate were arrested by police Wednesday in connection with their display at the weekend of a Wales flag with an obscenity written across it.
Lyon's elimination may spark end of an era
April 5, 2006Lyon's elimination from the Champions League quarterfinals for the third time in as many years could result in the four-time consecutive French champion losing key players. Midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who scored in Lyon's 3-1 loss to AC Milan on Tuesday, was watched by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson at the San Siro. Milan are reportedly interested in Lyon defender Cris, while even manager Gerard Houllier has attracted interest from English club Newcastle United.
S.Africa dismisses concerns over 2010 World Cup readiness (Reuters)
April 5, 2006South Africa's cabinet has dismissed concerns about the country's readiness to host the 2010 World Cup.
FA to name England manager before World Cup (Reuters)
April 5, 2006(adds FA statement)
Bryan Robson against O'Neill for England manager (Reuters)
April 5, 2006West Brom manager and ex-England captain Bryan Robson does not want former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill to become England's new manager.
Visa to sign 150-200 million pounds FIFA deal (Reuters)
April 5, 2006(adds details, byline)
Visa to sign 150-200 million pounds World Cup deal (Reuters)
April 5, 2006Visa are to sign a 150-200 million pounds ($262-$351 million) sponsorship deal for the World Cup from 2007 as FIFA's new financial services partner, sources close to the deal told Reuters on Wednesday.
FA continues search for next England manager (SportsTicker)
April 5, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - The search for the new England manager was continuing Wednesday as the Football Association's board met here.
Discussions continue over next England manager
April 5, 2006Discussions continue over next England manager
by England
Birmingham chairman Sullivan apologises for outburst
April 5, 2006Birmingham chairman Sullivan apologises for outburst
by England
'Best is yet to come' croons 'Pool's Morientes
April 5, 2006'Best is yet to come' croons 'Pool's Morientes
by England
Morientes: Fowler an asset
April 5, 2006Fernando Morientes has added his voice to the calls for Robbie Fowler to be given a new Anfield contract this summer.
Hasselbaink backs Boro to win
April 5, 2006Middlesbrough striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink insists the club can still make history by on Thursday scaling their own UEFA Cup 'Everest'.
UC: Middlesbrough vs. Basel
April 5, 2006Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole is a doubt for Thursday's UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg clash against Basle.
U.S. midfielder O'Brien joins Chivas USA
April 5, 2006John O'Brien signed with Chivas USA on Tuesday and was selected to play in the U.S. national team's upcoming exhibition game against Jamaica. The 28-year-old midfielder played 84 games during his six years with Dutch powerhouse Ajax Amsterdam, but was sidelined most of the last two seasons because of recurring injuries to his Achilles' tendon and hamstring.
Redknapp set for new deal
April 5, 2006Portsmouth are on the brink of offering manager Harry Redknapp a new contract - whether they stay up or are relegated.
Mancini takes the blame for Inter's Euro exit
April 5, 2006Mancini takes the blame for Inter's Euro exit
by UEFA Champions League
Japan's Yanagisawa faces World Cup race after surgery (Reuters)
April 5, 2006Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa left hospital on Wednesday after surgery on his right foot and faces a battle to be fit for the World Cup.
Bulgarian club appeal ban over wedding ring saga (Reuters)
April 5, 2006By Angel Krasimirov
Lokomotiv Plovdiv fan jailed for hooliganism (Reuters)
April 5, 2006A Lokomotiv Plovdiv fan has been jailed for one year for attacking police before a league match against CSKA Sofia last month, court officials said on Wednesday.
CSKA Sofia sack Yesic, name Markov as new coach (Reuters)
April 5, 2006Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia have sacked coach Miodrag Yesic and replaced him with Plamen Markov, the club said on Wednesday.
FA meet as net tightens on next England manager
April 5, 2006FA meet as net tightens on next England manager
by England
Man Utd will push Chelsea 'very close' - Beckham
April 5, 2006Man Utd will push Chelsea 'very close' - Beckham
by England
Bayern blame Klinsmann for Kahn's dip in form
April 5, 2006Bayern blame Klinsmann for Kahn's dip in form
by World Cup
Ancelotti hails Milan match-winner Inzaghi
April 5, 2006Ancelotti hails Milan match-winner Inzaghi
by UEFA Champions League
Wednesday's Decent Gossip
April 5, 2006Berbatov for Spurs, Baros to be sold to Spain, Queudrue wants out...
Bayern blame Klinsmann for Kahn's dip in form (Reuters)
April 5, 2006By Erik Kirschbaum
European success still eludes frustrated Lyon (Reuters)
April 5, 2006Olympique Lyon have again failed to make an impact in Europe but will keep trying, says club president Jean-Michel Aulas.
Barwick to reveal England boss shortlist to FA team
April 5, 2006Barwick to reveal England boss shortlist to FA team
by England
Man Utd will push Chelsea 'very close' - Becks
April 5, 2006Man Utd will push Chelsea 'very close' - Becks
by England
Wenger urges Gunners to play without fear
April 5, 2006Wenger urges Gunners to play without fear
by UEFA Champions League
Celtic chairman backs Keane for another season
April 5, 2006Celtic chairman backs Keane for another season
by Europe
Steaua and Rapid resume UEFA Cup hostilities
April 5, 2006Steaua and Rapid resume UEFA Cup hostilities
by Europe
Referees feeling the heat all over
April 5, 2006Major League Soccer has made enormous strides in terms of players and coaches, but the weak link remains the part-time referee corps that seems to constantly be in the firing line. But referees are feeling the heat all across the globe. Jamie Trecker looks at some remedies MLS is exploring.
Midfielder John O'Brien joins Chivas USA (AP)
April 5, 2006John O'Brien signed with Chivas USA on Tuesday and was selected to play in the U.S. national team's upcoming exhibition game against Jamaica. The 28-year-old midfielder played 84 games during his six years with Dutch powerhouse Ajax Amsterdam, but was sidelined most of the last two seasons because of recurring injuries to his Achilles' tendon and hamstring.
Blatter opens beach centre in tsunami-hit town (Reuters)
April 5, 2006A new beach soccer ground was opened and work began on one of 18 soccer centres as the president of world soccer's governing body Sepp Blatter continued his tour of tsunami-affected nations with a trip to Sri Lanka.
PREVIEW-Soccer-Arsenal on the verge of European breakthrough (Reuters)
April 5, 2006By Mitch Phillips
PREVIEW-Soccer-Steaua and Rapid resume UEFA Cup hostilities (Reuters)
April 5, 2006By Justin Palmer