Football Bizness

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the same eight trophies with two teams. The two teams in question are Real Madrid and Manchester United. Ronaldo has won the league, domestic cup, charity cup, Player of the Year Award, Golden Boot, Ballon d'Or, Champions League and Club World Cup. After his latest Club World Cup success, Cristiano Ronaldo has now won the same eight trophies with two different teams.

Sir Alex Ferguson has shown there is no animosity between him and former managerial rival Jose Mourinho by heaping praise on him during a revealing interview. Former Manchester United manager Ferguson, speaking to BT Sport on a show to be aired on Boxing Day, labelled his counterpart as 'good looking' and complimented his impressive trophy cabinet. 'It is unfair really. He’s good looking, he’s got that sort of George Clooney bit in his hair now,' Ferguson commented. 'But I think he is a great example, he can speak five languages or whatever he can. 'He goes and becomes an interpreter for Bobby Robson, follows him to Barcelona, works under Louis Van Gaal; he is learning all the time.' Mourinho and Ferguson were embroiled in many a battle during their time at Chelsea and Manchester United respectively, but Ferguson appears to have calmed down in his retirement.

image from jewishnews.co.uk     David de Gea inspired another gritty Manchester United defensive display in their 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday. Mathieu Debuchy scored for Arsenal at Anfield yesterday and played well for long spells of the game. Michael Carrick commanded the Manchester United defence and made a couple of important tackles during their game at Villa Park. Martin Skrtel recovered from a nasty head wound to fire home Liverpool's leveller against Arsenal in front of the Kop. Ryan Bertrand helped Southampton to a first win in six games with a clean sheet against Everton. Philippe Coutinho's aggressive flare terrorised Arsenal's defence at Anfield and the midfielder got the goal he deserved. Stewart Downing bagged his second goal in two games to help West Ham to a battling 2-0 victory over Leicester. David Silva controlled the game on his 200th Manchester City appearance as the Premier League champions cruised...

Mario Balotelli’s future at Liverpool remains in grave doubt after it emerged manager Brendan Rodgers has increasing reservations about his technical ability. Balotelli has endured a difficult start to his career as the striker is yet to score a Premier League goal since the £16m summer move to Anfield.

Hazard has been a key player for Chelsea since he joined from Lille back in 2012. The new deal will dash the hopes of PSG who have been long-term admirers of the Belgium International. The signing would be a major boost for manager Jose Mourinho, whose side are top of the Barclays Premier League. He is to sign the new five-year contract worth £200,000 per week in a few weeks.

Liverpool performance last night at the capital one cup was outstanding with sterling at the peak of the demolition the reds seem to control most of the game with ruthless blend of finishing and determination. Take Steven Gerrard, for example; His presence was massive, he was full of purpose in his running and looked something like his old self again alongside Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson majorly dominating the middle of the park. There were a staggering 51 passes in the build up to Sterling’s opener, a head-turning move that left Bournemouth’s defence utterly bewildered. Such was the speed that it was hard to keep up, but eventually Lazar Markovic swung a cross in from the left for Jordan Henderson to head back across Artur Boruc’s goal. This time Sterling, who was denied three times by Manchester United keeper David de Gea in Sunday’s defeat applied the finishing touch with a deft header. That was a team move, the gameplay that Rodgers has been trying to promote at...

The Germany international has been sidelined since October 5 after rupturing his knee ligaments in a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. It was originally thought that Ozil wouldn't be back until early 2015. While it has been a frustrating time for the 26-year-old, he hopes to resume training soon. "It won't be much too much longer before I am back on the pitch," Ozil told Arsenal Player. "I am working every day to get myself fit and I am on the right path now. Mesut Ozil has been out of action for Arsenal since October "I hope to be back training with the whole team again as soon as possible." Ozil also admitted he has found it tough watching Arsenal this season. "After a time, you really miss playing football. You miss the ball and just want to play," he added. "When you watch the games and think that you could have been playing, and playing well, it makes you miss it, but that's the way things are." Arsenal go into Sunday...

  Image from mirror.co.uk     Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday. United are now eight points behind Chelsea in the Premier League. Manchester City are just five points clear of United. Louis van Gaal has transformed his team in just six weeks, after six wins Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, David de Gea and Michael Carrick have been key men. When they took just one point from Chelsea and Manchester City in the space of a week, any title challenge from Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United was written off.

Following negative comments which have been said concerning Mario Balotelli, Liverpool FC may have to let him go. Former Liverpool player Paul Ince believes that Balotelli is a disaster and needs to leave the team. He also thinks Balotelli's "lone" spirit has infected Anfield and has reduced Liverpool's performance as a team. Paul Ince is certain that Brendan Rodgers must act fast and let Balotelli go if he is to save his job. Could this mean Liverpool is showing Balotelli the exit door?

The 3-time FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane who is respected for the grace he gave to the game of football during his time as a player decided to give a list of players who will make his dream team. According to Daily Mail Sports, Zinedine Zidane's eleven consisted of 7 Real Madrid players including goal-keeper Iker Casillas. He also mentioned Messi, Ibrahimovic, Alves. Yaya Toure whom Zidane suggested as one of the defensive midfielders alongside Real Madrid's Luka Modric was the only player from the English Premier League that made it to the French Legend's dream team.

     Former Real Madrid Forward Raul Gonzalez has acknowledged that Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi deserve a spot in football's Hall Of Fame. Raul said in La Gazetta dello Sport: "They are two of the best players in the history of football, like Pele and Maradona. "I also think Neymar and [Sergio] Aguero will overtake me sooner or later. As for Italy, the best player in history is [Alessandro] Del Piero. I not only have respect for him, but also lots of affection." The top scorers in Champions League include Messi (Barcelona) -74 goals; Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd, Real Madrid) -72 goals; Raul (Real Madrid, Shalke 04) -71 goals; van Nistelrooy (PSV, Man Utd, Real Madrid) -56 goals; Thierry Henry (AS Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona) -50 goals.                                ...

French Striker and Gunners Legend Thierry Henry has confirmed his retirement. Despite the speculations that he may return to his former club Arsenal, the 37 year old French International officially declared his exit from Football on his Facebook Page.

Real Madrid proves unstoppable and unbeatable as the Ancelotti side crept into their 20th win following 4-1 victory at Almeria. Cristiano Ronaldo may be on a fast flight towards scoring 66 goals this season with his helpful double score in Real's win against Almeria. Isco's hit goal found the net at early 34 minutes, but a Verza's superb strike levelled the score. Gareth Bale returned at 3minutes to half-time to put Real ahead. Cristiano Ronaldo's dull, disappointing game came alive with an easy goal and a half-volley that marked his second goal in yesterday's match. Real have won all matches since September 13 and they broke Barcelona's Spanish record of 18 straight wins after defeating Ludogorets on Tuesday. 

Mario Balotelli's anti-semitism and racism-suggestive instagram post continues to generate more dust as the Liverpool striker respond to the Football Association charge. The image post of Nintendo game character 'Mario' which indirectly insulted Jewish and black people had long been deleted by the former AC Milan striker. The Italian submitted a letter of mitigation without requesting hearing. Earlier, Balotelli had denied in a tweet that the post was offensive but afterward had apologised. Mario Balotelli has scored no Premier league goal for Liverpool since his £16m transfer from AC Milan in the summer.

Robin van Persie hopes to defeat spell and play for a long time to come. The 31-year-old pulled Manchester United to a stunning 2-1 victory against Southampton, scoring both goals for his side. He anticipates more thrills in the face-off against Liverpool this Sunday, and argued that he is fit to play for years to come regardless of age. Manchester United injury spell dwindled with the return of Rafael and Phil Jones to the squad. While Angel Di Maria, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, and Luke Shaw remain sidelined for injury.

Pellegrini wants on-loan midfielder Frank Lampard to grind it out with Man City until the end of this season. With Ivory Coast International Yaya Toure out to represent his country in the Africa Cup of Nations from early January, City's boss wants the New York City star, Lampard, to extend his stay with the sister club. Pelligrini is convinced that the 36-year-old who has witnessed no defeat for City each time he appeared this season will be very useful to City till the expiration of his services by December ending. Frank Lampard joined the Major League Soccer club, New York City, from Chelsea at last season's end and is expected to return to training ahead of MLS first season games in March.

Chelsea will make no signings in the January transfer window, says manager Jose Mourinho. The team has enough capable and balanced players to even out in the coming competitions. The Blues have six matches before January 1, with the first starting today against Hull City. Mourinho plans to rest his senior players for this Yuletide season, saying he is doubtful any one player should appear in all the six matches. The manager has granted his European-based players a two-day 'holiday' to rest and 'have a nice dinner with their families'. The former Real Madrid manager's side meets Hull City in the Premier league today. Petr Cech will replace injured skipper goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the Hull City face-off. Cesc Fabregas is ruled out for suspension and midfielder Nemanja Matic joins the squad after ban.

Former Spain striker Raul believes Ronaldo could be the best player of all time. 29-year-old Ronaldo rival Barcelona Lionel Messi, with both sparring to become the best footballers ever lived after Argentina Diego Maradona and three-time World Cup winner Pele. Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo was in January named the world best player of the year and Lionel Messi remains four-time recipient of the ballon d'Or. New York Cosmos star, Raul, told BBC World Football show: "I think now he is at the top, and if he continues the same way, he could be the best of all time. I think Cristiano and Lionel Messi are two of the best players in the history of the game. Are they better than Pele or Diego Maradona? They are at the top, but I think it is difficult in football to say who is first or second or third. But if Cristiano continues for five years..." Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 281 goals in 267 games for Real Madrid so far, adding the last two after a double scor...

Following elimination from the Champions league group stage which was finalised by Liverpools' 1-1 draw with Basel on Tuesday, Rodgers admitted he is 'more determined than ever to succeed as Reds' manager'. Liverpool crashed out of the Champions league after recording several successive defeats this season. They finished third, to continue on to Europa league knockout stage in February. Rodgers, boasting his club is one of the biggest clubs in the world, said the team have been unable to express themselves for unknown reasons this season. The Reds meet Manchester United at Old Trafford in Sunday's Premier league face-off.

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, 23, may likely miss the remaining fixtures for his side this year due to hamstring injury. Ramsey recorded a splendid score in Arsenal's scintillating 4-1 Champions league victory at Galatasaray on Wednesday. Speaking in a news conference, Wenger admitted to not knowing the extent of the injury and cannot tell the player's possible recovery period. The Gunners, who made an impressive comeback in Wednesday's win after recent defeats, will face Chelsea's unbeaten run trasher, Newcastle, on Saturday.   

See who Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern, Mancity could meet in the Champions League.  Having confirmed 16 teams go through for the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions league, this is how each teams could meet. Group Winners Real Madrid - can play: Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Schalke, Shakhtar Donetsk Atletico Madrid - can play: Basel, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Schalke, Shakhtar Donetsk Barcelona - can play: Juventus, Basel, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, Manchester City, Schalke, Shakhtar Donetsk Monaco - can play: Juventus, Basel, Arsenal, Manchester City, Schalke, Shakhtar Donetsk Borussia Dortmund - can play: Juventus, Basel, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Shakhtar Donetsk Bayern Munich - can play: Juventus, Basel, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Shakhtar Donetsk Chelsea - can play: Juventus, Bas...

Former Liverpool player Mark Lawrenson has castigated Rodgers' team as "rudderless", "low on confidence and lacking definitive way of playing." The BBC Sport pandit said the Reds has slugged to the bottom as fast as they tittered forward last season. Following Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Basel, Liverpool exited the group stage in a shameful farewell after recording several defeats in the Champions league. Lawrenson criticised Rodgers as depending on injured and sidelined Daniel Sturridge and signed-off Luiz Suarez who scored 31 goals in 33 games last season. The former Republic of Ireland defender lambasted boss Brendan's reliance on Suarez and Sturridge as "saviours", claiming those players were actually 50% of the team as Reds' key players are out of form. Liverpool falls ninth on the Premier league table and will face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino stated disgust over funny glitch that halted yesterday's match twice at Ataturk Olympico stadium. The match which threw Tottenham into a slur of 1-0 to Besiktas was stopped two times due to floodlight failure. The match was disrupted after eight minutes and a minute into injury time. At which times fans illuminated the pitch with lights from their smartphones. Pochettino described the incident as laughable and undignifying for the competition's reputation. Tottenham, who were balded by Besiktas, mismanaged goal chances that were avenged by Cenk Tosun's winning goal. The decisive defeat slipped Spur to second place in their Europa league group. 

Everton manager Roberto Martinez admits his team sweated bricks on the football pitch following his side's 1-0 defeat by FK Krasnodar. The changes made by the coach did no good to salvage the team from falling through to Ricardo Laborde's 30th minute netting. Skipper Joel Robles' error yielded a first-half goal for Krasnodar. Striker Arouna Kone returned after 14-month injury absence and made a full-time play. Ryan Ledson joined four other debutants to feature in the side's loss at Goodison Park. Martinez's youngsters played nervously in the first-half but dispelled their fear in the second half. Everton had earlier emerged as Group H winners anyway.

Joe Hart vows to join team-mates Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany and David Silva who all recently signed new five-year deals soon. The City goalkeeper, 27, whose contract expires in 2016 has expressed desire to continue on with the club throughout his footballing career. The ex-Shrewburry star joined City in 2006 in a £600, 000 deal. Hart's exceptional display aided Manchester City's progress into Champions league last 16 following Wednesday's 2-0 trashing of Roma. The skipper says he is so happy at the club and hopes to sign the five-year deal contract soon.

Following copious investigation into alleged corruption related to 2018 and 2022 World cup hosting within the football governing body, FIFA has proposed to vote next week for a release of an edited version of the investigation report. Fifa executive committee member, German Theo Zwanziger, said Article 36 of the body's ethic code could be amended to permit publication of once-prohibited Garcia's report. The Michael Garcia's 430-page report done over two years investigation into alleged corruption in 2018 and 2022 World cup bidding was earlier summarised by FIFA ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert. Garcia rejected Eckert's report as containing inconsistencies. FIFA have however agreed to the possible publication of an edited version. The vote which holds next week at Marrakesh, Morocco, could guarantee the publication of the Michael Garcia report.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti seeks the 20th victory for his side to end the year "fantastically". Real capped their 19 straight wins after a 3-0 win over Ludogorets Razgrad on Tuesday. The club trounced Barcelona 2005-06 record of 18 straight wins and are looking to bag the 20th in today's match against Almeria. Real, who are two points ahead of rival Barcelona, will proceed to Morocco next week to feature in the Club World Cup. 

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has received deadline of December 16 to respond to a charge by the FA following an abusive remark made to a fan. Chairman of Leicester supporters group tagged the coach as arrogant, stating he refused to apologise for the insulting comment. Pearson's spat came after his side's 3-1 loss to Liverpool. Leicester, who play host to Manchester City in the Premier league on Saturday, last won in September and now maintain the bottom of the table. Pressed by fans' group to apologise, Pearson, 51, commented "there certainly won't be any apology".

Ancelotti backs Marcelo as the world best full-back following criticism of the star by Brazil coach Dunga last week. The Brazil coach has excluded Marcelo from the team since his rise to the helm, giving the defense that the Real Madrid player went "on the attack in the World Cup twenty times" but scored no goals. He added that he "pushed forward too often." But Ancelotti rescued the former Selceo captain with the claim that he oughtn't be blamed for Brazil's struggle. Real coach said it's unlikely that Brazil's bad world cup was due to Marcelo, rather he is the best full-back in the world. And if the national team is set to relegate Marcelo, Madrid will be glad to have the star, declared Ancelotti.

Mourinho fears there are a few "sharks in the ocean" to nibble his side in the knockout stages. The Blues, who qualified for the last 16 following a 3-1 butt-whooping of Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, have four wins in six matches. Mourinho expects a tougher challenge in the last 16 draw stating "the Champions league starts now". The Blues will likely be paired against Bayer Leverkusen, PSG, Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk, or Basel in Monday's draw. Mourinho's side, who emerged top in their group with 17 goals, avoided fellow qualifiers Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Chelsea boss said his side fears nobody but looks forward to clashing with strong teams in the competition.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti praises extraordinary professionalism of his squad in the club's 19th win. The record was set following a 4-0 win over Ludogorets Razgrad. Real stormed through the group stage with six games won, becoming the first team to maintain an unbeaten record in the Champions league twice. They are two points ahead of rival Barcelona who held the same record with 18 straight wins in 2005-06.  Ancelotti commented that the result is a product of hard work and incredible professionalism of his squad.

Manchester City forges through to Champion league knockout stage with a 2-0 flogging of Roma on Wednesday. The first-time victory in Italy put them alongside Group E Bayern Munich. Munich inflicted a 3-0 pain on CSKA Moscow to pull City through to qualification. City's Nasir Samri scratched depression in Roma with a 60-minute goal. Paulo Zabaleta doubled Roma's depression with his first Champions League goal. City, who suffered pressure from Roma following Nasir's score, soon recaptured their air with Zabaleta's 86th minute shot. The Premier league champions who had earlier lost their first four games and now have six wins to their claim, still managed a thorough caning to Roma without injured Sergio Aguero, suspended Yaya Toure, and skipper Vincent Kompany. The scintillating victory sneaks City through for the last 16 draw on Monday.

Chelsea catwalked from fourth group game while jeering Champions league failure Sporting Lisbon in a 3-1 win on Wednesday. The Blues, whose unbeaten run was undone by 2-1 loss to Newscastle on Saturday, debutted 18-year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek while sending Willian, John Terry and Eden Hazard off to a necessary "holiday". Cesc Fabregas slid in the opening goal at 8th minute following a dumb foul by Ricardo Esgaio. Andre Schurrle, following first-team return, heightened Sporting's tension with a second Chelsea goal achieved with a low right-foot tip. Sporting attempted comeback on 50 minutes with Jonathan Silva's chest-down-and-touch goal. But Mikel Obi worsened Lisbon's dilemma with a net-breakng use of Fabregas' free-kick. As Sporting Lisbon bids farewell to the Champions league like fellow failure and bottom-kisser Liverpool, the Blues proceed to the knockout stages.

Former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla has been threatened by three masked gunmen at his Taula home, in south-west Colombia. The criminals who told him to "contact the chief" or his entire family would be eliminated, were described by Asprilla as anti-socials who want him to exit his town through the back door. 45-year-old Asprilla who retired 10 years ago, appeared 54 times for Magpies between 1996-98, won the European Cup Winners Cup and Uefa Cup with Parma, won 57 caps for Colombia, scoring 20 goals, and appeared in FIFA World Cup twice. The Colombian who decidedly settled in Taula to spend time with his family after representing his country, said his family was threatened in his presence and he was being pushed to use the town's back door out of his beloved country. Policemen assure safety for the ex-footballer and his family, with the promise to nab the hoodlums. 

Copa Peru semi-final was stopped following a lightning attack on Sport Aguila's Joao Contreras. The 21-year-old Peruvian footballer suffered the hit to his legs during his side's match against Union Fuerza Minera. Both Contreras and an affected linesman are recuperating in the hospital. Contreras 'twitter-ly' described the attack as terribly frightful, with his club grateful no one was killed. Though the official resumption day of the match has not been confirmed, Fuerza Minera said it is likely to continue on Thursday or Friday.

Liverpool finally seals their doom in the Champions league with a failure to qualify for the last 16.  The Reds added another defeat to their bad-lucked five games lost in Group B this season after Tuesday's 1-1 draw with FC Basel. Rodgers' side played with less spark, a match attitude unbefitting a team who won only one in six games and that by a late penalty score by Steven Gerrard.  Fabian Frei's brilliant 25th minute score wore a chicken skirt for already disappointed boss Brendan Rodgers. Steven Gerrard's massive save at Olympiakos in December 2004 almost repeated itself with the striker's late free-kick netting. The sunk Reds missed the super-saving scoring prowess of now-Barca Luis Suarez, and were down without Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge, for injury.  Reds join a group of bottom-scrapers to compete in the Europa league. Rodger's disappointed side finish third in the group B with five points.

  Arsenal managed a 4-1 punch to Galatasaray but do not sneak past Group D as Dortmund capped a win in their final game. The Gunners bruised their opponent's net with three goals in 30 minutes. Lukas Podolski's opening goal was topped twice by Aaron Ramsey. Wesley Sneijder handed an 88th minute consolation that was soon shredded with Podolski's 92th minute volley home. The Gunners, who have bitten more defeats in this season and earned criticisms for boss Wenger, stay sixth in the Premier League.

  Real Madrid maintains unbeaten run with 19 successive wins following a 4-0 hit over Ludogorets. Real stretched to the Champions league last 16 with undefeated record since September 16. Defender Marcelinho's deliberate handball yielded a penalty goal netted by Cristiano Ronaldo, who earned his 72nd Champions league goal with the score. Gareth Bale scored his eighth goal for Real this season to push Madrid far ahead of Ludogorets with two goals. Defender Alvaro Arbeloa's shot launched the third. And Alvaro Medran sealed the win with a fourth goal. Real will play Almeria on Friday. to  head off for the Club World Cup in Morocco

  Pele has joked he is fit to play in the Olympics following the Brazilian soccer great's discharge from the hospital. The former New York cosmos striker was admitted into Albert Einstein hospital on November 24 on account of urinary tract infection after a kidney stones surgery done on him on November 13. Pele, 74, said he is well and ready to appear in the 2016 Olympic football gold in Rio. The three-time World cup winner who had a kidney removed in his final period as a player admitted the sickness was unexpected but death was not a scare. Appreciating his fans and friends, the Santos striker further joked: "Now I am preparing for the Olympics. Three professionals can play in the Olympics and I'm one of the three!"

Steven Gerrard talks down his team, saying they lack firepower and were not good enough to outdo FC Basel in the Group B deciding match.  The Swiss side wrecked hell in the Reds' home with Fabian Frei' first-half goal. Brendan Rodgers' side pressured attempt to cap down Basel was consoled with a late free-kick netting by Captain Steven Gerrard. Liverpool disgracefully go down and out of the Champions league knockout stage while Basel slid beside group leader Real Madrid.  Gerrard castigated his team's lack of firepower, attributing it to strikers Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli's absence from the team due to injury.  He told ITV, "I don't think we deserved better," Gerrard told ITV. "We have not gone out because of this performance. We weren't good enough away to Basel and we let in a silly goal away to Ludogorets [Razgrad]." 

Jose Mourinho has rested Captain John Terry, Eden Hazard and Willian ahead of Wednesday's game against Sporting Lisbon at Stamford bridge. The Chelsea boss confirmed his squad need to rejuvenate for the Christmas season. The Group G winner and Premier league leader who finally lost their unbeaten run to Newscastle on Saturday rested the trio stars from Tuesday's training in preparation for their next clash. The trio will return to feature in Saturday's match against Hull City. Mourinho, who has guided his team to victory in 24 games this season, admitted he wished to give time-off to the entire squad but the Blues still have more face-offs this December.

UEFA President Michel Platini urged FIFA president Sepp Blatter to give up the office to save the soiled image of the football governing body. Platini, who claimed to have supported Blatter in 1998, said the body needs some fresh air and someone else who can rectify the consistent corruption allegations that has been characteristic of Sepp's tenure. He vowed to not back Sepp and fellow candidate Jerome Champagne in the May 2015 elections. And neither would he vie in the coming election, but would rather prefer to back anyone else besides Blatter and Champagne.

FIFA refuses Barcelona special permission to sign another defender after Thomas Vermaelen has been ruled out for months due to injury. The imposition which resulted from Barca's defiance to the rules on international signings of young players, was reportedly attempted to be boycotted by the club with an emergency signing under "exceptional situations" in Spanish federation rules. Speaking about the embargo which takes effect from January to span for a year, the football governing body told Barcelona that it did not support an exception for signing players during offseasons. 

Born on October 22, 1949 in Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France, Arsene sold his soul to Arsenal since 1996. He was earlier rejected by AC Milan with the complaint that he looked like a schoolmaster and has since gained the nickname "Le Professeur" in England. He was appointed by David Dain to be Gunner's boss after a move from AS Monaco. He led Arsenal to a Premier league victory in his first season as boss. Under his helm, the Gunners have earned three FA Premier league titles; 1998, 2002, 2004 respectively. He is lauded for his love for football, and about him Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houlier said “ Arsene Wenger has the ability to eat, talk, sleep and drink football, and then come back for more. ” He has a daughter with former basketballer Annie Brosterhous, speaks English, French, German and a bit of Japanese, Italian, and Spanish. He is reputed as having an eye for talent, nurtures them and is the first coach to lead his club through ...

Two weeks after hospitalisation, Pele will be discharged from an hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday following doctors' report that the soccer great is now in good condition. Pele, 74, who was admitted into Albert Einstein hospital on November 24 on account of urinary tract infection, had earlier been admitted on November 13 to have kidney stone surgery done on him. The national hero, who was relegated to the intensive care unit of the hospital, was transferred to private room on Saturday. In a video message that showed him playing a guitar, Pele thanked his fans for their support. The three-time World Cup champion and worldwide soccer ambassador, who had a kidney removed as a player, is seen by many as the greatest player ever.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says must-win match with Basel this Tuesday will prove his players worthy to be included in Reds' folklore. The Anfield match is much-needed to shove the Reds into knockout stage and 2nd place in Group B. On the other hand, the Swiss team only needs a draw to trail beside fellow group winner Real Madrid. Rodgers' side were in the same position in December 2004, needing a win over Olympiakos to reach the last 16. Reds' boss admits his side have often had must-win games in which they emerge winners. He, however, dismissed the claim that Tuesday's victory will be dependent solely on Captain Steven Gerrard's 'super-saving' skill, stating that the responsibility for the victory will rest on the shoulders of all his players.

Sociedad's David Moyes says his side could have bagged home more goals beside the 4-0 loss to Villareal on Saturday. Following the sinking of his unbeaten start in Spain, the ex-Manchester United boss claims his team made terribly and defensively bad mistakes which should have cost them more goals. Sociedad, who clipped only two shots on target, dropped to 14th place on the table with the Villareal loss. With four points earned in two La Liga matches, Moyes' side face Athletic Bilbao at home on Sunday.

Robin van Persie's double score knifed Southampton apart and  fired Manchester United to third place on the Premier league table. United sneaked into a 2-1 win over Southampton at St. Mary on Monday after Netherland striker Persie's 12th minute goal was doubled at the 71th minute. Leading the opening goal, Van Persie took advantage of skipper Jose Fonte's error backpass, but Graziano Pelle pulled in a 31th minute equaliser which dragged the Saints back into the fight for victory. Van Persie followed in with a good use of Wayne Rooney's free-kick to seal the win for the United side.