Football

Platini was banned for eight years in December along with FIFA President Sepp Blatter over a payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2 million) made to the Frenchman in 2011 by FIFA with Blatter's approval for work done a decade earlier.

Christian Eriksen celebrated his 24th birthday with the winning goal for Tottenham Hotspur when they beat City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to stay second in the Premier League table.

"There was a lot of tiki-taka and I was thinking that without a lot of space to play in, I'd find it more difficult. I worried about that," said Suarez.

England international Adam Johnson has been sacked by Premier League Sunderland after he pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child, the club said on Thursday.

Nasri was initially expected to miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury he picked up in October but the France international said last month that he hoped to return to action by the end of March.

A high-powered FIFA delegation led by Head Of Competitions Jamie Yarza will be visiting India between February 14 to 20 to evaluate the preparations for next year's U-17 World Cup.

Blatter's appeal will be heard by FIFA's appeals commission just 10 days before the extraordinary congress in Zurich on February 26 when a vote will be held to appoint a new president.

Pellegrini, whose side are set for a crucial showdown with Premier League leaders Leicester City on Saturday, said he was not kept in the dark as the Bayern Munich boss was ushered into the City hotseat.

With 14 games of an enthralling season left, Leicester have 50 points with City on 47 ahead of their top-of-the-table blockbuster at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial struck in the first half and Wayne Rooney was on target after the interval as Manchester City blanked Stoke City in an English Premier League match in London on Wednesday.

A lot will depend on how their Japanese recruit Katsumi Yusa and Haitian winger Sony Norde perform apart from in-form India international Jeje Lalpheklhua.

The English Premier League club has signed Emenike on loan until the end of the season with an option to make the deal permanent.

Madrid have now taken 10 points and scored 17 goals in four games since Zidane replaced Rafael Benitez earlier this month.

The holders had a first-half scare when Burnley's Sam Vokes cancelled out Calum Chambers' 20th-minute opener, but Sanchez's second-half goal ensured the Premier League side avoided an upset against Championship opposition.

"The targets in the past were the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup. We aim the group for targets. The FA Cup is a target," Hiddink said.

The importance of record-setting striker Gonzalo Higuain has been brought home to Serie A leaders Napoli but most eyes on Sunday will be on Inter Milan's bid for a crucial derby win at AC Milan