|
|
| A FIFA delegation says the main stadiums proposed by Spain and Portugal in their joint bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup are "ideal" venues for big games. FIFA inspectors visited Barcelona's Camp Nou, Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Benfica's Stadium of Light and FC Porto's Stadium of the Dragon during a four-day tour to assess the bid. |
|
| Europe's top club coaches are backing UEFA's decision to use five match officials in the Champions League. They gave their support Thursday, two weeks before teams such as defending champion Inter Milan, Manchester United and Barcelona play matches for the first time under the experimental system that adds an extra assistant behind each goal to help referees make decisions. |
|
| Jose Mourinho says he's no longer "obsessed" with winning titles. In an interview with Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport, the Real Madrid coach said he would have stayed at Inter Milan if he wanted to win the most titles possible, acknowledging that Barcelona is the favorite to win the Spanish league and Copa del Rey. |
|
| Barcelona midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos was warned by a top-ranking Mexico football official on Wednesday that his decision to skip upcoming friendlies with the Mexico national team could have consequences. Dos Santos was the last player cut from the 23-man Mexico squad for the World Cup in South Africa. |
|
| Barcelona winger Jeffren Suarez will be out for two weeks after injuring his left leg. Jeffren was diagnosed with the muscle tear on Wednesday and the Spanish champions say the player will return from the Spain under-21 team's training base to begin his recovery. Jeffren scored two goals in 16 appearances during his first full campaign for Barcelona last season, when he was often selected ahead... |
|
| The Spanish football federation says Spain defender Carles Puyol will miss the World Cup champion's opening Euro 2012 qualifying match due to injury. The Barcelona centerback will not feature in Friday's Group I match against Liechtenstein or a friendly against Argentina four days later due to the left leg injury. |
|
| Birmingham made three signings on Tuesday's final day of the transfer window, bringing in Alexander Hleb from Barcelona, Martin Jiranek from Spartak Moscow and Jean Beausejour from Club America. Hleb, who has previously played in the Premier League with Arsenal, joined on a season-long loan deal from Spanish champion Barcelona. |
|
| Brazil forward Robinho has transferred to AC Milan, the second major signing in four days for the Italian club following Zlatan Ibrahimovic's move from Barcelona. Milan announced Tuesday that Robinho had signed a four-year contract after a full transfer from Manchester City. Robinho was sent on loan to Brazilian side Santos last season. |
|
| Birmingham have made two signings on the final day of the transfer window, bringing in Alexander Hleb from Barcelona and Martin Jiranek from Spartak Moscow. Hleb, who has previously played in the Premier League with Arsenal, joined on a season-long loan deal from Spanish champion Barcelona. The Belrus midfielder spent last season on loan at Stuttgart. |
|
| Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita has signed a two-year contract extension that ties him to the Catalan club through 2014. Barcelona did not release details of the deal Tuesday but Keita's buy-out clause is now ?100 million ($127 million). Mali midfielder Keita was part of Barcelona's record six major trophy triumphs in the campaign after his arrival in 2008. |
