Bahrain's ruling soccer body says three players from the national team have been detained and six clubs have withdrawn from leagues following widespread anti-government protests. A human rights group, however, says the clubs from mostly Shiite neighborhoods were suspended from the league for two years and fined $20,000.

The Bahrain Football Association says three players from the national side have been detained and six clubs have withdrawn from its domestic leagues following widespread, anti-government protests. However, the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights says the clubs from mostly Shiite neighborhoods were suspended from the league for two years and fined $20,000.

Fernando Llorente couldn't ask for a better chance to impress Real Madrid than leading his Athletic Bilbao against the Spanish leader this weekend. The Spanish press has linked the lanky Spain striker with a move to Madrid throughout the season, and those reports have heated up this past week as Llorente trails only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with eight goals scored before...

Fernando Llorente couldn't ask for a better chance to impress Real Madrid than leading his Athletic Bilbao against the Spanish leader this weekend. The Spanish press has linked the lanky Spain striker with a move to Madrid throughout the season, and those reports have heated up this past week as Llorente trails only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with eight goals scored before...

Villarreal's Spanish league title credentials will be tested when it plays at defending champion Barcelona this weekend, while Spanish leader Real Madrid is at Sporting Gijon. Third-place Villarreal's impressive start has it on the heels of the leaders, sitting three points adrift of Madrid and two off Barcelona after 10 games.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho faces his first must-win game when the Spanish leaders play third-tier Murcia for a return leg Wednesday in the Copa del Rey. Murcia held Madrid to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the fourth round two weeks ago and now could embarrass the Portuguese coach in his first season in Spain.