Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 in an ill-tempered match Saturday to provisionally move to the top of the Premier League. Players from both teams had to be separated in the tunnel at halftime after Liverpool's Luis Suarez refused to shake the hand of United's Patrice Evra before kickoff.

Enduring a five-year police investigation before being cleared of tax fraud after a two-week trial has prepared Harry Redknapp for the "aggravation" he would face if hired as England coach. With the European Championship only four months away, the Tottenham manager is the leading contender to replace Fabio Capello.

Football has become a victim of its own popularity as shown by the swathe of match-fixing scandals in the past year, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said on Friday. Speaking after attending the Confederation of African Football's general assembly, the head of world football suggested the problem was becoming an increasingly widespread worry for FIFA.

Harry Redknapp said Friday his focus remains on Tottenham's pursuit of Champions League qualification -- until an approach is made for the vacant England coaching job. With the European Championship only four months away, Redknapp is the leading contender to replace Fabio Capello as England coach.

South Sudan has been admitted as a member of the Confederation of African Football, becoming the world's newest footballing nation. Africa's football body accepted the application by the South Sudan Football Association to become its 54th member, meaning South Sudan is now recognized as an international team.