Fowler wants poser for Rafa

April 10, 2006

Robbie Fowler has vowed to continue giving Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez a major headache over what to do about his future. Fowler bagged the killer goal which left the Reds within one more win of securing third place.

Meola to make 100th appearance for USA

April 10, 2006

USA vs. Jamaica: Tony Meola remembers nearly everything about his first game with the U.S. national team, most of all his worries that he might not get a second one. On Tuesday, Meola will get his 100th cap when the USA takes on Jamaica.

Bayern boss: Ballack leaving for the money

April 10, 2006

Germany's captain Michael Ballack is leaving Bayern Munich because he will make more money elsewhere, most likely at Chelsea, according to Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness. Ballack turned down a Bayern deal reportedly worth $43 million.

Facchetti slams airport abuse

April 10, 2006

Internazionale president Giacinto Facchetti has spoken out against the ugly scenes which marred the club's return to Milan following the 2-1 triumph at Ascoli at the weekend.

Inter Milan seeks second straight IC final

April 10, 2006

Inter Milan is trying to reach the Italian Cup final for the second straight year, and the team hopes advancement will help cool the fury of its fans.

Attacks lead Mancini to consider quitting Italy

April 10, 2006

Attacks lead Mancini to consider quitting Italy

by Europe

Sweden appoint scouts to World Cup opponents

April 10, 2006

Sweden appoint scouts to World Cup opponents

by World Cup

Meola to make 100th appearance for U.S. team (AP)

April 10, 2006

Tony Meola remembers nearly everything about his first game with the U.S. national team, most of all his worries that he might not get a second one. As a 19-year-old goalkeeper in 1988, he gave up the only goal on a penalty kick in a 1-0 loss to Ecuador. That wasn't the worst part -- he took down a player driving to the net, setting up the goal.

Djurgarden open title defence with goalless draw (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Djurgarden opened the defence of their Swedish first division title on Monday with a 0-0 draw against Hammarby in a Stockholm derby.

Iraqi youth soccer team enjoys victory, safety in U.S. debut (AP)

April 10, 2006

The stray bullet that killed an Iraqi soccer player during practice two years ago was rare. Usually, the only part of insurgent gunfire that travels far enough to reach the dusty soccer fields in Baghdad is the noise. On Monday, when Ali N. Hashim scored Iraq's first goal in the 14-and-under national team's opening game in the Dallas Cup, the only sounds were clapping parents and a nearby truck...

Hiddink says he is set to move to Russia (AP)

April 10, 2006

Gus Hiddink, the coach of PSV Eindhoven and Australia, is close to accepting a deal to become coach of Russia's national team after the World Cup. One day after PSV clinched the Dutch league title, Hiddink said Monday he was "in heavy discussions" with Russia's soccer federation. "My agents are busy with the final details of the contract," Hiddink said.

Real Madrid F Ronaldo out 2-3 weeks with leg injury (SportsTicker)

April 10, 2006

MADRID, Spain (Ticker) - Real Madrid striker Ronaldo is to be sidelined for most of April with an injury to the right leg.

Guus Hiddink factbox (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Factbox on Guus Hiddink, who is almost certain to take over as Russia coach after the World Cup:

Italy F Totti nears return to training (SportsTicker)

April 10, 2006

ROME (Ticker) - Francesco Totti is closing in on a return to training following the leg injury he sustained against Empoli in February.

Disgraced keeper Bosnich hoping for comeback

April 10, 2006

Disgraced keeper Bosnich hoping for comeback

by England

16 injured and 121 arrested after brawl

April 10, 2006

Sixteen people were injured, three of them seriously, in a brawl including gunshots between rival soccer fans of Boca Juniors and Rosario Central, police said on Monday. Police said 121 people also were arrested after the free-for-all broke out late Sunday night near a tollbooth where the rival fan buses crossed paths not far from Rosario, about 300 kilometers (190 miles) north of Buenos Aires. Three Boca fans were wounded by gunshots to the head and one other had a stab wound, police said.

Hiddink set to coach Russia after World Cup (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Guus Hiddink is almost certain to take over as coach of Russia after the World Cup in Germany.

Patience will be a virtue in World Cup, says Spain coach (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Spain coach Luis Aragones wound up a day's get-together for his squad by saying the keys to success in the World Cup would be patience and positive thinking.

Former Brazil coach Santana's condition worsens (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Former Brazil coach Tele Santana, who has been in serious condition with a intestinal infection since March 25, suffered a further deterioration on Monday, a hospital statement said.

Ukraine goalkeeper Shovkovsky back from injury (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Ukraine's World Cup hopes were given a boost when first-choice goalkeeper Oleksander Shovkovsky resumed playing at the weekend after almost three months out injured.

Ronaldo out for up to three weeks with injury (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo will be out of action for up to three weeks with a muscle tear in his right thigh, the Primera Liga club said on Monday.

Attacks lead Mancini to consider quitting Italy (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

(Releads, changes dateline)

Schalke give contract extension to coach Slomka (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Schalke 04 have given coach Mirko Slomka a new contract running to the end of next season, a despite a disappointing result on Sunday that leaves them with little chance of a Champions League place.

Heinze set to return for Premiership run in

April 10, 2006

Heinze set for recall

by England

Curbs says Young dream is not over yet

April 10, 2006

Curbs says Young dream is not over yet

by World Cup

Hiddink confirms he will be Russia coach

April 10, 2006

Hiddink: I will be Russia coach

by Europe

Kahn to stay in team despite demotion

April 10, 2006

Oliver Kahn said Monday he will stay on Germany's World Cup team despite his demotion to No. 2 behind Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Lehmann was promoted Friday by coach Juergen Klinsmann and many predicted Kahn's retirement would follow.

Robson recovering from minor surgery

April 10, 2006

Former England and FC Barcelona coach Bobby Robson is recovering from minor surgery.

Red Devils defend price hike

April 10, 2006

Manchester United have hit their fans with an inflation-busting 12.3% average rise in season ticket prices for next season.

Kahn accepts back-up role at 2006 World Cup (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

(Adds background, quotes)

Lokhoff to coach promoted Dutch club Excelsior (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Ton Lokhoff has agreed a two-year deal to coach promoted Dutch side Excelsior Rotterdam, the club said on Monday.

Visa, FIFA enter sponsorship deal (AP)

April 10, 2006

Visa entered a deal with FIFA on Monday, making the credit card company a global sponsor for the World Cup and other soccer competitions. The agreement between Visa International and soccer's governing body will start in January and give the company exclusive advertising rights through 2014. The deal reportedly is worth $150 million to $200 million.

Bobby Robson well after lung damage operation (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Ireland's national football adviser and ex-England manager, Bobby Robson, was recuperating on Monday after successful surgery to repair lung damage sustained in a skiing accident, Irish soccer authorities said.

'Fans may stay away from OT'

April 10, 2006

'Fans may stay away from OT'

by England

Rooney statement denies rift with Owen

April 10, 2006

Rooney statement denies rift with Owen

by World Cup

British government launches anti-touting law

April 10, 2006

British government launches anti-touting law

by World Cup

Big Sam signals interest in signing Fowler

April 10, 2006

Big Sam signals interest in signing Fowler

by England

Rafa: English coaches need to be worldly

April 10, 2006

Rafa: English coaches need to be worldly

by England

WBA's Wallwork misses out on amnesty

April 10, 2006

WBA's Wallwork misses out on amnesty

by England

Rijkaard guards against Barca complacency

April 10, 2006

Rijkaard guards against Barca complacency

by Europe

Bobby Robson treated after ski-ing accident

April 10, 2006

Bobby Robson treated after ski-ing accident

by Euro 2008

Inter played attacked by fans at airport

April 10, 2006

Inter played attacked by fans at airport

by Europe

Aguero shines as big boys lead

April 10, 2006

Aguero shines as big boys lead

by Global

Kahn will fight on despite German demotion

April 10, 2006

Kahn will fight on despite German demotion

by World Cup

Man Utd to push Chelsea to the limit

April 10, 2006

Chelsea still has a seven-point league lead after the weekend's action but Manchester United looks to be hot on their heels. Nick Webster takes a look at each club's remaining fixtures and hopes the race goes down to the final ninety minutes of the season.

Young's WC chances not good

April 10, 2006

Charlton captain Luke Young appears to have ruled himself out of the England squad for this summer's World Cup finals.

Old Trafford ticket prices get sharp rise

April 10, 2006

Old Trafford ticket prices get sharp rise

by England

Young admits World Cup dream is over

April 10, 2006

Young admits World Cup dream is over

by World Cup

Bundesliga: Hamburg close gap to just four

April 10, 2006

Bundesliga: Hamburg close gap to just four

by Europe

PREVIEW-Soccer-Lyon set sights on double (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Olympique Lyon are aiming to stay on target to achieve the double when they entertain Olympique Marseille in the French Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.

Guadalajara's run ends as six players depart (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Guadalajara fell victim to Mexico's extended World Cup preparations when they were beaten 2-0 at Morelia at the weekend without six players picked by the national team.

Successful abroad, Czechs have problems at home (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

By Alan Crosby

Boca, River lead while Aguero shines in Argentina (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

River Plate and Boca Juniors won to stay neck and neck at the top of the Argentine championship in a weekend when Independiente teenager Sergio Aguero produced another outstanding display.

Benfica drop two points in Champions League batle (Reuters)

April 10, 2006

Champions Benfica wasted a chance to close in on an automatic Champions League spot when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Maritimo on Sunday.