Football

Blatter was banned in December from all football-related activity for eight years by the ethics committee of FIFA, mired in the worst graft scandal its 111-year history.

The 34-year-old Serbian central defender moved to Inter Milan in 2014 but his contract with the Serie A club was terminated by mutual consent this month.

Louis van Gaal slammed the British media for 'awful and horrible' stories about his future and said the club's support, while welcome, had put more pressure on him.

Half-empty stadiums, low TV viewing figures and uninspiring displays by the national team: Russians are struggling to get interested in football with two years to go before they host the World Cup.

Barcelona forward Neymar and his father must pay nearly 460,000 reais ($113,000) to Brazil’s inland revenue in taxes owed from 2007 and 2008, a Sao Paulo federal judge ordered in a ruling made public on Wednesday.

The charge referred to the heated aftermath of West Brom's Claudio Yacob escaping a second booking after fouling Diego Costa in the second half of the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Sarri has been banned for two Italian Cup games and fined 20,000 euros ($21,672) for using "highly offensive" language against Inter Milan's Roberto Mancini during their teams' quarter-final on Tuesday.

"Guidolin's position will be reviewed at the end of the season, with the option of extending his contract," the club said.

"Juan Mata is playing the right side and he is doing fantastically well because he always has a big contribution for our team. But he is not a right winger in the profile we want," said Van Gaal.

Arsenal began their FA Cup defense with a 3-1 comeback victory against Sunderland in the third round on Saturday, while Manchester City emphatically defeated Norwich 3-0.

New Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said that his side's star forward Cristiano Ronaldo will not be leaving the club any time soon.

Arsene Wenger hopes to complete the signing of FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny by early next week after reported work permit issues threatened to stall the transfer.

The French administrator has denied any wrongdoing in the case, which is among dozens of allegations rocking soccer's governing body, caught up in worst graft scandal of its history.

Argentine star Lionel Messi was chosen as the World's Playmaker of the Year by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) while Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was named the World's Best Club Coach in 2015.

On Sunday, after India lifted its seventh SAFF Cup title beating Afghanistan in the final, Kohli sent out a congratulatory message to the team, with a special mention of India captain Sunil Chhetri who scored the winning goal in extra time.

Southampton have to "change some disciplinary things" and improve their focus if they are to avoid a Premier League relegation fight this season, manager Ronald Koeman said.