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Police allege Champions League fix attempt

Reuters — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:01:09 GMT

A match-fixing ring with more than 200 suspected members fixed or attempted to fix dozens of matches across Europe, including three in the Champions League, German police said on Friday.

Calf injury rules Juve's Trezeguet out for a month

Reuters — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:23:14 GMT

Juventus forward David Trezeguet will be out of action for about a month because of a calf injury sustained in training, the Serie A club said on Friday.

Barcelona defender Abidal struck by swine flu

soccernet.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:29:55 GMT

Barcelona have confirmed defender Eric Abidal has contracted swine flu and midfielder Yaya Toure has shown symptoms of the virus.

German police reveal European match-fixing probe

Soccernet staff — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:39:06 GMT

Police in Germany and abroad have made several arrests and conducted searches on suspicion of an international illegal betting ring allegedly fixing matches in top European leagues, Bochum prosecutors announced on Thursday.

Bundesliga: Bayern face "game of the season"

soccernet.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:36:39 GMT

Bayern Munich are preparing for the "game of the season" this weekend, according to their general manager Uli Hoeness.

Ibrahimovic out of Bilbao clash with thigh strain

Soccernet staff — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:35:20 GMT

Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss Saturday's La Liga clash at Athletic Bilbao with a new thigh strain, the European champions said on Thursday.

Euro 2012 qualifying seedings announced by UEFA

Soccernet staff — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:39:27 GMT

The Euro 2012 qualification seedings have been announced, with Croatia a surprise inclusion in the group of top seeds.

Serie A: Del Piero ready for new role at Juve

Reuters — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:43:29 GMT

Fit-again Alessandro Del Piero is keen to get his campaign underway after playing just 10 minutes with Juventus so far this season, but the captain may have to take up an unfamiliar role to get back in the team.

La Liga: Barca resume with tough trip to Lions' den

Reuters — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:20:27 GMT

The intimidating roar of San Mames awaits Barcelona in La Liga as Pep Guardiola's side start a critical week of action with a testing trip to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Austria 1-5 Spain: David Villa double adds to rout

soccernet.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:01:56 GMT

Irrepressible Spain thumped Austria 5-1 in a friendly on Wednesday to celebrate in style their return to the stadium where they won Euro 2008.

German squad salute 'keeper Enke in moving letter

soccernet.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:26:08 GMT

The Germany team paid tribute to Robert Enke with a moving letter to the late goalkeeper ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Ivory Coast.

Wolfsburg content to cash in on striker Edin Dzeko

Soccernet staff — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:50:33 GMT

Wolfsburg have told Edin Dzeko he will be allowed to leave the club - but only if a club meets his buy-out clause.

Atletico Madrid handed 150 euro fine after derby

soccernet.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:21:16 GMT

Atletico Madrid have been fined 150 euros by the Spanish football federation for incidents during their home derby with Real Madrid earlier this month.

Ben Arfa set for talks over future after bust-up

soccernet.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:50:50 GMT

Hatem Ben Arfa is set for make-or-break talks with Marseille over his future following a training-ground bust-up with coach Didier Deschamps on Tuesday.

Atletico coach Flores struck by swine flu

soccernet.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:40:43 GMT

Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores is suffering from swine flu, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

Ronaldo remains on track for Real Madrid return

Reuters — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:37:39 GMT

Tests on Cristiano Ronaldo's injured ankle have shown the Real Madrid winger's recovery is going according to plan and he should be back in full training on Friday, the La Liga club said.

Ronaldo remains on track for Real Madrid return

Reuters — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:10:13 GMT

Tests on Cristiano Ronaldo's injured ankle have shown the Real Madrid winger's recovery is going according to plan and he should be back in full training on Friday, the La Liga club said.

Baptista agent denies Spurs Pavlyuchenko swap

Soccernet staff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:27:26 GMT

The agent of Julio Baptista has brushed aside reports linking his client with a move to Tottenham in the winter transfer window.

Fiorentina: Left-back Vargas not heading to Madrid

Soccernet staff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:27:55 GMT

Fiorentina have warned Real Madrid they have no intention of selling left wing-back Juan Manuel Vargas after the Peruvian international was strongly linked with a move to the Bernabeu next season.

Striker Dzeko expects summer move to AC Milan

Soccernet staff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:22:21 GMT

Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko expects to play for AC Milan next season. The Bosnian, whose 26 goals last season inspired his side to the Bundesliga title, has already informed his club he intends to move to the San Siro outfit.

Udinese insist Gokhan Inler is not for sale

soccernet.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:44:13 GMT

Udinese have no plans to sell Gokhan Inler despite several clubs having expressed an interest in the Switzerland international.

Van der Vaart rules out return to Hamburg

soccernet.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:48:32 GMT

Former Hamburg midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has ruled out a return to the Bundesliga club this winter and has vowed to instead make the grade with Real Madrid.

Ronaldo expects to return to training in a week

Soccernet staff — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:11:50 GMT

Real Madrid midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo expects he will have recovered sufficiently from an ankle injury to be able to return to training by the middle of this week.

Benfica rule out January sale of winger Di Maria

Soccernet staff — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:15:46 GMT

Benfica have assured their supporters that midfielder Angel Di Maria will not be sold in January, with Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly showing interest.

Demichelis fears the worst for struggling Bayern

soccernet.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:33:13 GMT

Martin Demichelis fears Bayern Munich are running out of time to salvage their season, even though he knew it was going to be a tough year.