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Archive soccer news from around the world

No holiday for determined Del Piero (Dec 30, 2000)

While the rest of his team-mates were away celebrating Christmas, Alessandro Del Piero worked hard in order to make a full recovery from his latest injury. . . . more . . .

Serra Ferrer holds up Cris move to Barca (Dec 30, 2000)

Barcelona manager Lorenzo Serra Ferrer is stalling over the signing of Brazil centre-back Cris from Cruzeiro – even though the player has already agreed personal terms. . . . more . . .

Big freeze hits games across Britain (Dec 30, 2000)

Aston Villa's home game against Leicester, Liverpool's trip to Bradford, Everton v Leeds and West Ham v Chelsea have all been postponed because of bad weather. . . . more . . .

Hyypia finishes year on a high (Dec 30, 2000)

Liverpool and Finland defender Sami Hyypia has been voted Finnish Player of the Year following his consistent performances for both club and country. . . . more . . .

Giovanni no-show rocks Olympiakos (Dec 30, 2000)

Greek League-leaders Olympiakos face an embarrassing New Year wait for their Brazilian striker Giovanni, who has yet to return from a Christmas holiday in South America. . . . more . . .

Inter to sign Romario on short-term deal (Dec 30, 2000)

Brazil striker Romario has agreed to join Internazionale until the end of the season, according to reports in South America. . . . more . . .

Seventh player of the year title for Hagi (Dec 30, 2000)

Galatasaray playmaker Gheorghe Hagi has won the Romanian Footballer of the Year award for a record seventh time. . . . more . . .

Di Canio ready to return home (Dec 29, 2000)

Paolo Di Canio has fuelled speculation that he could return to former club Lazio in the New Year by telling a radio station in Rome: "Wearing a Lazio shirt again would be fantastic for me." . . . more . . .

Huckerby seals £2.5m Man City move (Dec 29, 2000)

Out-of-favour Leeds United striker Darren Huckerby has joined Manchester City for £2.5 million. . . . more . . .

Hire me or I quit, says Mancini (Dec 29, 2000)

Roberto Mancini has warned Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti that he will quit the Rome club if he is not given the opportunity to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager. . . . more . . .

Benfica to fine rebel Van Hooijdonk (Dec 29, 2000)

Benfica will fine Pierre van Hooijdonk after the Dutch striker criticised the quality of Portuguese football and team-mate Joao Tomas, who has been keeping him out of the team. . . . more . . .

Fernandez plans PSG squad sell-off (Dec 29, 2000)

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Fernandez hinted on Friday that he will wield the axe to turn his ailing side's fortunes around. . . . more . . .

Materazzi on verge of £6m Inter switch (Dec 29, 2000)

Perugia defender Marco Materazzi is poised to join Inter after the Milan giants offered £6 million plus Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis for the former Everton man. . . . more . . .

Mechelen poised for West Ham link-up (Dec 28, 2000)

Mechelen are on the verge of a deal with West Ham United that would see the Belgian team receive players on loan in return for being a feeder club for the English Premiership side. . . . more . . .

Milan close in on Ronaldinho (Dec 28, 2000)

Italian giants AC Milan are in pole position to secure the double signing of Brazilian wonderkid Ronaldinho from Gremio and Juan Antonio Riquelme from Argentine champions Boca Juniors. . . . more . . .

McManaman rates Real as world's best (Dec 28, 2000)

Real Madrid have slapped a not for sale sign on winger Steve McManaman, much to the English winger’s delight. . . . more . . .

Gregory's future in the balance (Dec 28, 2000)

Aston Villa manager John Gregory's future is in doubt after a scathing attack on chairman Doug Elllis at the weekend. . . . more . . .

Vasco offer wayward Edmundo for Juninho (Dec 28, 2000)

Vasco da Gama are hoping to off-load controversial striker Edmundo to Atletico Madrid in order to keep Juninho, who is currently on loan from the Spanish side, in Brazil. . . . more . . .

Panucci set to join Monaco (Dec 28, 2000)

Monaco are poised to sign Internazionale defender Christian Panucci – who is currently on loan to Chelsea – with the Milan giants taking an option to buy France international Philippe Christanval at the end of the season. . . . more . . .

Maradona in Napoli job talks (Dec 28, 2000)

Diego Maradona is locked in talks with Napoli about becoming their South American football consultant, having already initiated the possible transfer of Boca Juniors stars Martin Palermo and Guillermo Barros Schelotto to his old club. . . . more . . .

Metz sack long-serving Muller (Dec 28, 2000)

Metz on Wednesday night sacked Joel Muller, the longest serving coach in the French top division, after a poor run of results saw the team slump to third from bottom of the Championnat. . . . more . . .

Benfica plan to raise cash for Jardel (Dec 28, 2000)

Benfica's board of directors were locked in talks on Wednesday, discussing ways to reduce the club's debt and raise the £20 million needed to sign Brazilian striker Mario Jardel from Galatasaray. . . . more . . .

Wieghorst: I thought I might die (Dec 28, 2000)

Celtic and Denmark midfielder Morten Wieghorst has revealed that he thought he might die while he lay in intensive care for several weeks after being struck down by a brain infection. . . . more . . .

Villa chase second Colombian (Dec 27, 2000)

Aston Villa are hoping to clinch the signing of their second Colombian player, having made an offer for Boca Juniors midfielder Maurico "Chico" Serna. . . . more . . .

Masopust voted Czech player of century (Dec 27, 2000)

Legendary midfielder Josef Masopust, who led his country to the runners-up spot in the 1962 World Cup, has been named the Czech Player of the Century. . . . more . . .

Liverpool join chase for Rosicky (Dec 27, 2000)

Liverpool are the latest major club to show an interest in Tomas Rosicky, the hottest prospect in Czech football, who Sparta Prague insist will be sold early in the New Year. . . . more . . .

Jorge Costa offers to quit Porto (Dec 27, 2000)

Porto captain Jorge Costa has threatened to quit the club as the fall-out continues from his on-the-field bust-up with team-mate Pena. . . . more . . .

Roca takes charge at Xanthi (Dec 27, 2000)

Xanthi have unveiled their own Christmas present to the fans in the form of ex-Panathinaikos boss Argentinian Juan Ramon Roca, who has been appointed as the Greek club's new coach. . . . more . . .

Milan pull out of Zaccheroni talks (Dec 27, 2000)

Contract talks between AC Milan and manager Alberto Zaccheroni have been postponed increasing speculation that club owner Silvio Berlusconi is trying to get rid of the coach. . . . more . . .

Stars back under-fire Moratti (Dec 27, 2000)

Internazionale players past and present have rallied round club president Massimo Moratti, who has come under increased pressure to stand down after a miserable first half of the season. . . . more . . .

I'm ready to join Juve, says Cassano (Dec 27, 2000)

Bari wonderkid Antonio Cassano has issued a plea to his club to sell him now if they do not plan to keep him. . . . more . . .

Karasi shown door at Erzurumspor (Dec 27, 2000)

Turkish first division side Erzurumspor have sacked their coach Stanislav Karasi. . . . more . . .

Batistuta rules out Boca swansong (Dec 26, 2000)

Roma striker Gabriel Batistuta has reiterated that he will retire when his contract expires in 2003, and dismissed suggestions he would return to Boca Juniors after admitting that the outbreak of crowd violence in Argentina terrifes him. . . . more . . .

Unhappy Van Hooijdonk hits out (Dec 26, 2000)

Benfica striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk has slammed the quality of Portuguese football and insisted he is a better player than the man keeping him out of the side, Joao Tomas. . . . more . . .

Saint-Etienne eye move for Machlas (Dec 26, 2000)

Saint-Etienne are poised to make a bid for Ajax's highly-rated Greek striker Niclos Machlas in one of the most surprising moves in a busy French winter transfer market. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Phillips fires Sunderland to third (Dec 26, 2000)

Arsenal recovered from their mauling at Anfield last week by dishing out similar treatment to a shell-shocked Leicester side, who had no response to Thierry Henry on the way to a 6-1 Highbury hammering. . . . more . . .

Milan pull out of Zaccheroni talks (Dec 26, 2000)

Contract talks between AC Milan and manager Alberto Zaccheroni have been postponed increasing speculation that club owner Silvio Berlusconi is trying to get rid of the coach. . . . more . . .

Gongs for Platini and Jacquet (Dec 26, 2000)

Michel Platini has been named the greatest French player of the century in a poll published in France Football magazine, while Aime Jacquet, who guided France to their 1998 World Cup triumph, was named coach of the century by a panel of former coaches. . . . more . . .

Lizarazu out of hospital after ski terror (Dec 26, 2000)

France defender Bixente Lizarazu has been released from hospital after losing consciousness in a terrifying skiing accident on Christmas Eve. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Celtic cruise 12 points clear (Dec 26, 2000)

Run-away leaders Celtic took a 12-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League and stretched their lead over bottom club Dundee United to an incredible 53 points with an easy 4-0 Boxing Day victory at Tannadice. . . . more . . .

Lyon prepare McManaman swoop (Dec 25, 2000)

Lyon will offer Real Madrid's Steve McManaman a lucrative short-term contract in a bid to prise the winger to the Stade Gerland when the French transfer window opens this week, onefootball.com can reveal. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Celtic look to stretch lead (Dec 25, 2000)

There are 50 points currently separating table-topping Celtic and crisis club Dundee United – and it's a total that Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill will expect to see increase to 53 after their Boxing Day clash. . . . more . . .

Milan in pole position for £16m Riquelme (Dec 25, 2000)

Milan have emerged as favourites to sign Boca Juniors' unsettled striker Juan Roman Riquelme after Barcelona were reported to have pulled out of the race for the £16 million-rated star. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Kinky to return for six-pointer (Dec 25, 2000)

Georgi Kinkladze could be in line to return as Derby County look to continue their recent impressive run at Manchester City, who saw their mini-revival halted on Saturday. . . . more . . .

Zamorano finally cuts Inter ties (Dec 25, 2000)

Internazionale striker Ivan Zamorano has turned his back on European football and is poised to sign for Mexican club America after rejecting offers from Brescia, Napoli and Fiorentina. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP De Boer gives Rangers hope (Dec 24, 2000)

Rangers picked up a vital win to keep their faint championship hopes alive and moved within two points of second-placed Hibernian with 1-0 victory over the Edinburgh club, courtesy of a header by Ronald de Boer, right. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Viola climb as Milan slump (Dec 24, 2000)

Perugia provided the shock of the day at the San Siro, stunning Milan to win 2-1. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Solskjaer fires United clear (Dec 24, 2000)

Manchester United overcame last week’s home defeat to Liverpool to roar eight points clear at the top of the Premiership after two Ole Gunnar Solskjaer goals saw off Ipswich Town. . . . more . . .

Vayrynen turns down Inter offer (Dec 24, 2000)

Jokerit and Finland Under-21 star Mika Vayrynen has rejected a lucrative move to Internazionale. . . . more . . .

Gaspart blasts Fifa for Real 'Club of the Century' prize (Dec 24, 2000)

Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has slammed Fifa for awarding rivals Real Madrid the title of Club of the Century. . . . more . . .

Wolfgang Wolf extends Wolfsburg contract (Dec 24, 2000)

Wolfgang Wolf has ended speculation linking him with struggling Stuttgart by signing a contract expansion to coach Wolfsburg until summer 2003. . . . more . . .

Safiullin elected Ukraine chief (Dec 24, 2000)

Shakhtar Donetsk vice-president Ravil Safiullin was unanimously elected as president of the Ukrainian Professional Football League (UPFL) on Friday. . . . more . . .

Brattbakk returns to Rosenborg (Dec 24, 2000)

After much speculation, Norway striker Harald Brattbakk has finally joined his former club Rosenborg after they agreed a £760,000 fee with FC Copenhagen. . . . more . . .

Aalbers in £30m bid to save Vitesse (Dec 23, 2000)

Former Vitesse Arnhem chairman Karel Aalbers has announced a £30 million rescue package for the cash-strapped club. . . . more . . .

Besiktas swoop for Red Star skipper (Dec 23, 2000)

Besiktas are poised to beat off competition from Celta Vigo and sign Red Star Belgrade captain Goran Bunjevcevic, onefootball.com can reveal. . . . more . . .

Dortmund overtake Bayern in Rosicky race (Dec 23, 2000)

Borussia Dortmund look poised to snatch £13 million-rated Sparta Prague midfielder Tomas Rosicky from under the noses of Bayern Munich after the Czech club’s president Vlastimil Kostal arrived at the Westfalenstadion for talks. . . . more . . .

Safiullin elected Ukraine chief (Dec 23, 2000)

Shakhtar Donetsk vice-president Ravil Safiullin was unanimously elected as president of the Ukrainian Professional Football League (UPFL) on Friday. . . . more . . .

Wenger slams police probe into Mihajlovic taunts (Dec 23, 2000)

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has claimed the police should stay out of football after reports on Friday that Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic could face three years in jail over his Champions' League bust-up with Patrick Vieira. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Tel goes back down the Lane (Dec 23, 2000)

Manchester United are looking to bounce back from last week's Liverpool defeat against surprise high-fliers Ipswich Town. . . . more . . .

Yugoslavs commit to Lazio (Dec 23, 2000)

Yugoslavia stars Dejan Stankovic and Sinisa Mihajlovic have pledged their short-term futures to Lazio. . . . more . . .

Alonso quits Sociedad – and football (Dec 22, 2000)

Periko Alonso has vowed never to coach again after becoming the second managerial casualty of the season at bottom-of-the-table Spanish side Real Sociedad. . . . more . . .

Dortmund overtake Bayern in Rosicky race (Dec 22, 2000)

Vitesse face bankruptcy, warns Braam (Dec 22, 2000)

Dutch title-chasers Vitesse are on the verge of bankruptcy and may not be able to pay their players in January, commercial manager Gerard Braam revealed on Thursday. . . . more . . .

Tanzi family poised to sell up at Parma (Dec 22, 2000)

The 20-year reign of the Tanzi family at Parma looks to be drawing to an end after president Stefano and vice-president Fulvio Ceresini expressed their disappointment at the club’s start to the Serie A season. . . . more . . .

Villa tie up record deal for £9.5m Angel (Dec 22, 2000)

Aston Villa have agreed a £9.5 million club record deal with River Plate for striker Juan Pablo Angel. . . . more . . .

Mihajlovic faces jail over Vieira taunts (Dec 22, 2000)

Sinisa Mihajlovic could be jailed for three years for racially abusing Patrick Vieira during October's Champions' League clash in Rome between Lazio and Arsenal after police in Italy launched an investigation. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Missile crisis mars Nantes win (Dec 22, 2000)

Nantes beat Bordeaux for the first time in 18 years at Parc Lescure courtesy of goals from Viorel Moldovan and Eric Carriere. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW High stakes for Italian leaders (Dec 22, 2000)

Serie A’s top two sides go head-to-head at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night in a game that everyone in Italy – except anyone connected to Roma and Juventus – is already billing as a title decider. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Carew gives Valencia the edge (Dec 21, 2000)

John Carew was sent off but not before scoring a vital late goal to secure a 1-1 draw for Valencia at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday and ensuring Hector Cuper’s team go into the New Year on top of La Liga. . . . more . . .

Lack of games prompted Keane switch (Dec 21, 2000)

Robbie Keane admitted on Thursday that he had "mixed emotions" about leaving Inter to join Leeds on loan – but said the lure of first-team football had been decisive. . . . more . . .

Final glory for hat-trick star Romario (Dec 21, 2000)

Veteran forward Romario scored a second-half hat-trick as Vasco da Gama staged an astonishing fightback against fellow Brazilians Palmeiras to win the Copa Mercosur, a tournament involving 20 of South America's top club sides. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Late show lifts Anderlecht (Dec 21, 2000)

There will be a few conspiracy theories doing the rounds in the Bruges area after Anderlecht scored three goals against a St Truidense team reduced to ten men after the sending-off of captain Peter Voets. . . . more . . .

£19m Aimar deal is done, claims agent (Dec 21, 2000)

Robbie Keane's departure to Leeds has paved the way for Internazionale to finally complete the £19 million signing of Argentinian star Pablo Aimar, according to the player's agent. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Four teams battle for top spot (Dec 21, 2000)

Four teams are battling to go into the three-week winter break on top of the French League and two of them face each other on Thursday night when third-placed Bordeaux host Nantes, currently a place above them, at Parc Lescure. . . . more . . .

Ronaldo up to his old tricks (Dec 21, 2000)

Ronaldo kicked a ball for the first time in public on Wednesday since his injury eight months ago, and admitted that it was "one of the most emotional moments" of his life. . . . more . . .

End of the road for Matthaus (Dec 21, 2000)

The world's most capped international, Lothar Matthaus, finally looks set to call it a day. . . . more . . .

Petit pledges future to Barcelona (Dec 21, 2000)

France international Emmanuel Petit has pledged his future to Barcelona despite admitting that Llorenc Serra Ferrer's decision to play him out of position is against his own better judgement. . . . more . . .

Baxter tempted by Spain (Dec 20, 2000)

Former AIK coach Stuart Baxter is being courted by a top-flight Spanish club, with struggling Real Sociedad the team believed to be after his services. . . . more . . .

Levitzky and Alex banned over fake papers (Dec 20, 2000)

Two Saint-Etienne players at the centre of a fake passport scandal have been suspended until their disciplinary hearing on January 9. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Anderlecht's sights on top spot (Dec 20, 2000)

Anderlecht will be hoping to draw level at the top of the Belgian league with a win over St Truidense. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Valencia seek perfect gift (Dec 20, 2000)

Valencia can be at the top of La Liga for Christmas if they defeat an injury-stricken Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, while champions Deportivo La Coruna will try to keep the pressure on Hector Cuper's side when they face Real Oviedo at home. . . . more . . .

Elliott charged after Bellamy clash (Dec 20, 2000)

Leicester City's Matt Elliott has been charged with violent and threatening behaviour after the Football Association studied a video of the recent game with Coventry. . . . more . . .

Danish giants chase Nielsen (Dec 20, 2000)

FC Copenhagen and Brondby have joined the race to sign Denmark international Brian Steen Nielsen after it was revealed that AB had given-up on trying to keep him. . . . more . . .

Sacchi rejects Monaco (Dec 20, 2000)

Former Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi is set to turn down a lucrative offer from Monaco. . . . more . . .

Mondonico tries to lure £12m 'El Loco' to Napoli (Dec 20, 2000)

Napoli have shown their determination not to drop straight back down to Serie B by making an audacious attempt to sign £12 million-rated striker Martin Palermo from Boca Juniors. . . . more . . .

Dutch government joins Pierre dispute (Dec 19, 2000)

The Pierre van Hooijdonk transfer saga took a surprise twist on Monday when the Dutch ambassador turned up at the Stadium of Light to ask Benfica when they will pay the £4 million they owe Vitesse Arnhem for the striker. . . . more . . .

Italian stars threaten strike (Dec 19, 2000)

This weekend's round of Italian football fixtures are in jeopardy as footballers from the top two divisions are planning to stage a strike in protest against the escalating problems of violence that are blighting the game. . . . more . . .

Fiorentina move to reward Terim (Dec 19, 2000)

Fiorentina have moved to keep coach Fatih Terim, who has been linked with a move to Milan, by offering him an improved £1.2 million-a-year contract. . . . more . . .

Bayern braced to snap up Camara (Dec 19, 2000)

Bayern Munich sent top men Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to watch Marseille defender Zoumana Camara at the weekend and are likely to make a bid for the Frenchman in the next ten days. . . . more . . .

Nedved picks up Czech Golden Ball (Dec 19, 2000)

Lazio midfielder Pavel Nedved was voted Czech footballer of the year on Monday ahead of Anderlecht's Jan Koller and Sparta Prague's wonder kid Tomas Rosicky. . . . more . . .

Figo acclaimed as No 1 in Europe (Dec 19, 2000)

Luis Figo, the world's most expensive player, was named European Footballer of the Year on Monday. . . . more . . .

Romario to join Inter revolution (Dec 19, 2000)

Romario will join Internazionale on a lucrative 18-month contract when the Italian transfer window reopens in January. . . . more . . .

Keeper caught in strip club bust-up (Dec 19, 2000)

The goalkeeper of leading Romanian club Rocar Bucharest could face prosecution after allegations that he and a policeman friend caused havoc in a strip club following a heavy drinking spree. . . . more . . .

Bruges in court to cancel league (Dec 19, 2000)

Club Bruges have gone to court in an attempt to have Wednesday's Jupiler League programme postponed until February 2001. . . . more . . .

Voller reveals Roma dream (Dec 18, 2000)

Germany coach Rudi Voller has insisted that he will return to Bayer Leverkusen once his current contract expires in 2002 – but admitted that his dream job would be coaching his former club Roma. . . . more . . .

I'm not finished, says beleaguered Eriksson (Dec 18, 2000)

Lazio closed ranks after a disastrous derby defeat to bitter city rivals Roma on Sunday evening. . . . more . . .

Sanctions threatened in passport row (Dec 18, 2000)

Claude Simonet, who was re-elected as president of the French Football Federation on Saturday, has threatened to dock points from clubs that have knowingly fielded players with false passports. . . . more . . .

Sacchi approached for Monaco job (Dec 18, 2000)

Monaco have asked Arrigo Sacchi to replace Claude Puel as coach of Monaco after the reigning French champions slumped to their fourth home defeat of a disappointing season at the weekend. . . . more . . .

Paolo Di Canio is a perfect gent (Dec 18, 2000)

So sportsmanship is alive and well after all. . . . more . . .

Hiddink confirmed as Korea coach (Dec 18, 2000)

Guus Hiddink has been confirmed as South Korea's new coach after signing an 18-month contract. . . . more . . .

Transfer solution set to overturn Bosman (Dec 17, 2000)

Fifa has managed to persuade the European Commission to reverse the Bosman ruling for players under the age of 23, according to reports in British newspaper Sunday Business. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP PAS test champions (Dec 17, 2000)

Olympiakos survived a second half scare at home to PAS Ioannina to stretch their lead at the top in Greece on Sunday, while Ionikos underlined their new-found consistency to climb to third place after comfortably dispatching of Paniliakos in Neapoli. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Atalanta remain on course (Dec 17, 2000)

Atalanta coach Giovanni Vavassori has fashioned a side based on youth but he was indebted to striking veteran Maurizio Ganz for all three points against Bologna on Sunday. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Valencia race back to top (Dec 17, 2000)

Valencia regained top spot in La Liga on Sunday after seeing off Malaga 2-0. . . . more . . .

Police shooting sparks riots (Dec 17, 2000)

The victim was shot earlier in the day when he resisted arrest after a dispute between neighbours. . . . more . . .

Former Otelul chief uncovers bung scandal (Dec 17, 2000)

Romanian football has been plunged into fresh controversy after former Otelul Galati president Marius Stan accused the current vice-president Mihai Stoica and an independent lawyer, Sica Puscoci, of accepting bungs of almost £500,000 for the sale of two players. . . . more . . .

Red-faced Ferguson offers no excuses (Dec 17, 2000)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he had no complaints after the champions slumped to their first home defeat for two years, going down 1-0 to Liverpool on Sunday. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP PSV narrow gap (Dec 17, 2000)

Lowly Groningen breathed new life into the Dutch title race when they were surprise conquerors of leaders Feyenoord on a good day for defending champions PSV Eindhoven. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Venables off the mark with rare success (Dec 16, 2000)

Middlesbrough moved off the bottom with a vital 1-0 win against Chelsea at the Riverside, thanks to Dean Gordon’s deflected winner on 71 minutes. . . . more . . .

Sugar set to quit Tottenham (Dec 16, 2000)

Spurs chairman Sir Alan Sugar is ready to sell his stake in the north London club because he is sick of the abuse he is getting from fans. . . . more . . .

Chelsea told to up bid for £13m Keane (Dec 16, 2000)

Internazionale have admitted that Robbie Keane may be sold when the Italian transfer window opens in January – but only if a club matches their £13 million valuation of the player and the young Irishman agrees to the move. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Schalke secure Christmas No 1 (Dec 16, 2000)

Schalke 04 will spend Christmas at the top of the Bundesliga after securing a 2-2 draw at FC Cologne in the last round before the winter break. . . . more . . .

Teams to take on the world (Dec 16, 2000)

Fifa have confirmed that Europe will be represented at the Club World Championship in Spain by Galatasaray - as onefootball.com revealed earlier this week - Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna. . . . more . . .

Sporting show Rijkaard interest (Dec 16, 2000)

Former Holland boss Frank Rijkaard is keeping his options open after Sporting Lisbon indicated that they would like him as their next coach. . . . more . . .

Chilavert faces axe after French folly (Dec 16, 2000)

Paraguayan keeper Jose Luis Chilavert may have played his last game for struggling Strasbourg after a disastrous two months in France. . . . more . . .

Arsenal to sign Edu (Dec 15, 2000)

The Corinthians defender was caught red handed last summer at Heathrow airport when trying to get into the country with a fake passport. . . . more . . .

West Ham fail with £10m bid for Keane (Dec 15, 2000)

Leeds, Chelsea and Coventry have all been linked with the striker but West Ham took their interest one step further by making a £10 million offer. . . . more . . .

Roma bid £15 million for Mark Viduka (Dec 15, 2000)

The Australian star has been performing superbly this season in both the Premiership and the Champions league, though he missed the beginning of the league to attend the Olympic games in Sidney. . . . more . . .

Accused Yeboah faces suspended jail term (Dec 15, 2000)

Yeboah is alleged to have failed to pay £700,000 in taxes while playing for Eintracht Frankfurt in 1993. . . . more . . .

Real Sociedad president, Luis Uranga, resigns. (Dec 15, 2000)

The Basque team struggled last season to stay in the First Division, and only survived thanks to the arrival of former national team´s coach, Javier Clemente. . . . more . . .

Inter players survive bus attack (Dec 15, 2000)

The Inter team were on their way to the San Siro stadium for the Italian Cup quarter-final against Parma in Milan on Thursday night when a man suddenly threw two Molotov cocktails on the side of the bus. . . . more . . .

Ronaldinho still dreaming of Paris (Dec 15, 2000)

PSG president Laurent Perpere played down the chances of signing the 20-year-old Brazilian on Thursday. . . . more . . .

Last chance for Ronaldo (Dec 15, 2000)

He does, however, believe that the Brazilian can return to the top of his game. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Christmas number one on offer (Dec 15, 2000)

Schalke 04 go to Cologne's Mungersdorfer Stadium in confident mood after four wins from their last five games. . . . more . . .

Soma in talks with Perugia (Dec 15, 2000)

Soma, who has been linked with moves to AC Milan and West Ham in recent weeks, is currently on trial at the Italian club. . . . more . . .

Romans to off-load fiery Mihajlovic (Dec 15, 2000)

Mihajlovic received his marching orders against Udinese on Wednesday in the Italian cup and his dismissal was the pivotal moment of the match as the Serie A champions went down 4-1 and were knocked out of the competition. . . . more . . .

Two more years for De Wilde at Anderlecht (Dec 15, 2000)

The 36-year-old Belgium international is being rewarded for his superb form this season, bouncing back impressively from a disastrous Euro 2000. . . . more . . .

Lazio lack self-belief, admits Cragnotti (Dec 14, 2000)

With the Rome derby fast approaching, Lazio's season is in danger of coming off the rails and the appearance of Cragnotti at Formello served as a reminder that Sunday's game is a must-win. . . . more . . .

Aston Villa look to Angel (Dec 14, 2000)

Aston Villa, Napoli and Parma amongst others have all show interest in the star. . . . more . . .

Sporting want sacked Inacio back (Dec 14, 2000)

The bizarre saga involving Inacio and the Portuguese champions took another twist on Wednesday. . . . more . . .

Laudrup plays down comeback talk (Dec 14, 2000)

Laudrup, 31, quit Ajax earlier this year and has been without a club ever since. . . . more . . .

ROUND-UP Maric magic sees off Leverkusen (Dec 14, 2000)

Maric was very definitely the hero for Bochum, scoring all three of the home side’s goals. . . . more . . .

Real humbled by lowly Toledo (Dec 14, 2000)

Israel Gonzalez and Cidoncha got the goals that made it a hugely embarrassing night for the European champions but one to remember for Toledo president Fernando Jerez, who is a Real Madrid season ticket-holder. . . . more . . .

Daum ready to snub Atletico and Iran (Dec 14, 2000)

"It is a concrete offer and they want me to join straight away but I have decided to start working again next summer," Daum told Bild. . . . more . . .

Figo claims Golden Ball ahead of Zidane (Dec 14, 2000)

Sources close to Real Madrid have confirmed that the former Barcelona player will be crowned the new European Footballer of the Year next week. . . . more . . .

Player strike nears as fixing slurs continue (Dec 13, 2000)

Earlier this week AEK midfielder Tsartas said in an outburst on national television: "We should call a strike. . . . more . . .

Roger finally seals £5.5m Benfica move (Dec 13, 2000)

The left-sided player passed a medical at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday and put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half year contract. . . . more . . .

£35m Ronaldinho poised for PSG move (Dec 13, 2000)

The 20-year-old scoring sensation, full name Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, has been linked with moves to Barcelona, Internazionale and Leeds, but looks set to become the latest in a long line of Brazilian stars to move to the French capital. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Nantes look back to summit (Dec 13, 2000)

Despite Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Marseille, second-placed Nantes have the opportunity to resume the League leadership if they beat ninth-placed Bastia, who also went down at the weekend, 1-0 away to Lyon. . . . more . . .

Steaua chief in court over Dumitrescu sale (Dec 13, 2000)

According to the English Premiership club, they paid Steaua £3 million for the player, but the Romanian side declared the sum at £1.8 million. . . . more . . .

Liverpool handed Roma test (Dec 13, 2000)

Liverpool knew they were in for a difficult draw after the announcement on Tuesday that they had been put in the unseeded pot. . . . more . . .

PREVIEW Nowotny return lifts Leverkusen (Dec 13, 2000)

Bochum have slumped to the bottom of the table after Stuttgart's win over Frankfurt on Tuesday night and Ralf Zumdick knows that his young side must start picking up points from their home games regardless of the opposition. . . . more . . .

Savio future in Real doubt (Dec 12, 2000)

The Brazilian winger almost signed for Chelsea in September, but was talked out of a move by sports director Jorge Valdano, who told him: "You are coming up to the peak of your career, you are gaining in experience and we need you." . . . more . . .

Javier Mazzoni moves to Racing de Santander (Dec 12, 2000)

The Spanish side has been struggling lately in the Liga, which lead to coach Andoni Goikoetxea´s firing last week. . . . more . . .

Bayern Leverkusen secure Da Silva Ferrera (Dec 12, 2000)

Bayern will have to pay around £5m to sign the player, who had been contacted by some FC Barcelona sources earlier this month. . . . more . . .

Gerets protests his innocence (Dec 12, 2000)

Bruges officials have accused Gerets of receiving irregular payments when buying players through the Yugoslav agent Ranko Stojic during his time as coach between 1997 and 1999. . . . more . . .

Hip blow for Del Piero (Dec 12, 2000)

Del Piero limped out of Juve's 1-0 victory over Parma on Sunday, and tests on Monday confirmed that the injury is serious. . . . more . . .

Benarbia confirms PSG exit (Dec 12, 2000)

Last year the controversial Algerian international, who has won the French title twice with Monaco (in 1997) and Bordeaux (in 1999), captained PSG under Philippe Bergeroo. . . . more . . .

French game slipping into legal quagmire (Dec 12, 2000)

The latest twist in the passport affair came at Saint-Etienne, who have decided to bring in the law to investigate claims that three of their players, Brazilian forwards Alex and Aloisio, and Ukrainian goalkeeper Maxim Levytsky, have obtained false papers. . . . more . . .