Football

Iraq's soccer federation has denied any interest in hiring Diego Maradona to coach its national team.

Winger Syed Rahim Nabi has been voted the AIFF Player of the Year 2012 by the I-League club coaches.

Among the other round of 16 matches, Barcelona will take on AC Milan and Arsenal face Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich's offensive midfielder Thomas Mueller extended his running contract until June 2017.

Tito Vilanova could be forced to step down from his role after it emerged that he has suffered a relapse of a tumor he had last year.

Spain lead No. 2 Germany, with European Championship finalist Italy at No. 4. England is No. 6.

East Bengal suffered their first loss in the I-League this year courtesy a 0-1 defeat to Prayag United SC.

Fellaini was seen to butt the Stoke captain as they jostled for position at a corner taken by the visitors.

The other two teams in Group A are Chinese Taipei and Guam. India will play their matches on March 2, 4 and 6.

Arsene Wenger is looking all set to sign their most successful striker, Thierry Henry, for the third time.

Berlusconi said Robinho "is changing his mind" about leaving Milan for a return to Brazil.

"Football is not an easy world, specially for coaches and it's hard for one to stay for many years in the same club," the Real manager said.

Heading into their first derby of the season on Sunday, United hold a three-point lead over second-place City. Chelsea, who play Sunderland on Saturday, are seven behind City.

The champions went out of the competition just 200 days after they won it in Munich under former manager Roberto Di Matteo.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has a bruised left knee and is a doubt for the leaders' next match in La Liga this weekend, the club said on Wednesday.

Blatter was initially opposed to the idea of using goal-line technology but changed his stance two years ago when he saw England denied a clear goal by midfielder Frank Lampard against Germany at the 2010 World Cup.