Today's soccer news from around the world

Barcelona president survives confidence vote (Sun Jul 06)

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta survived a confidence vote held Sunday that was brought against him by a supporter who was angered by the Spanish club's second straight season without any major title, final results show.

Less than half of all Barcelona supporters who cast ballots, 37.75 percent, voted to keep the 45-year-old at the helm of the club while 60.6 percent voted against him staying on, the club said on its web site.

But to be successful, the vote against Laporta needed to have the support of over two-thirds of voters with a minimum turnout of 10 percent of the 118,528 club members entitled to take part. . . . more . . .

Atletico Madrid sign Brazilian midfielder Assuncao (Sun Jul 06)

Atletico Madrid announced Sunday the signing of Brazilian midfielder Paulo Assuncao from Portuguese first division side Porto for an undisclosed fee. . . . more . . .

Ronaldo likely staying at Manchester - Real Madrid boss (Sun Jul 06)

Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo will likely stay at Manchester United next season because the English champions are not willing to let him go, Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said Sunday. . . . more . . .

Chelsea make big-money bid for AC Milan's Kaka (Sun Jul 06)

Chelsea have put a big-money offer on the table for Brazilian playmaker Kaka, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said Sunday, without giving further details of the proposed deal. . . . more . . .

Transfer system turns players into 'mercenaries' - Wenger (Sun Jul 06)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vented his frustration over the transfer system, saying it encouraged footballers to become financial "mercenaries". . . . more . . .

Cantona to have stadium named after him (Sat Jul 05)

Former French international footballer Eric Cantona on Saturday inaugurated a football stadium named after him in the French town of Tignes, local authorities said. . . . more . . .

Brazil's Geovanni signs for Hull (Sat Jul 05)

Brazil international Geovanni has joined newly-promoted Hull City, the English Premier League side announced Saturday. . . . more . . .

Real, Man Utd bosses 'to meet over Ronaldo saga' (Sat Jul 05)

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon and Manchester United chief executive David Gill will hold talks in Switzerland next week over Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the Spanish sports daily AS reported Saturday. . . . more . . .

Torres praises Benitez and 'great leader' Gerrard (Sat Jul 05)

Fernando Torres on Saturday said that Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez was the inspiration behind his goal-scoring exploits which helped Spain to Euro 2008 glory. . . . more . . .

Kewell signs two-year contract with Galatasaray (Sat Jul 05)

Former Liverpool star Harry Kewell on Saturday signed a two-year contract with Turkish champions Galatasaray, describing his move as a "new chapter" after five injury-stricken years at Anfield. . . . more . . .

Aragones signs two-year contract with Fenerbahce (Sat Jul 05)

Spanish coach Luis Aragones on Saturday signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Fenerbahce. . . . more . . .

Atletico sign Coupet from Lyon (Fri Jul 04)

June Spain's Atletico Madrid on Friday signed French international goalkeeper Gregory Coupet from champions Lyon for 1.5 million euros, Lyon announced. . . . more . . .

Ronaldinho will not be sold at a discount, says Barcelona (Fri Jul 04)

Barcelona warned Friday that it would not sell its Brazilian striker Ronaldinho, who has been deemed surplus by the Spanish side's new coach Pep Guardiola, at a discount. . . . more . . .

Ronaldo going nowhere say United (Fri Jul 04)

Manchester United said Friday the latest reports claiming star winger Cristiano Ronaldo was about to move to Spanish giants Real Madrid were "utter nonsense" and insisted the Portugal international was not for sale. . . . more . . .

Taylor extends Newcastle deal (Fri Jul 04)

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has signed a new three-year contract with the club. . . . more . . .

Emnes signs for Boro (Fri Jul 04)

Dutchman Marvin Emnes on Friday signed a 3.2-million-pound (6.3m dollar) deal with English Premier League side Middlesbrough. . . . more . . .

China's Zheng Zhi could miss Olympics (Fri Jul 04)

China's star footballer Zheng Zhi, a fixture with the English club Charlton, is likely to miss the upcoming Beijing Olympics due to a back injury, state media reported. . . . more . . .

Dunne stays on at Manchester City (Fri Jul 04)

Manchester City captain Richard Dunne committed his future to the side by signing Friday a new four-year contract with the English Premier League club. . . . more . . .

Liverpool sign Dossena (Fri Jul 04)

Liverpool announced Friday they'd signed Italian defender Andrea Dossena from Udinese. . . . more . . .

I'm ready for the Oranje again, says van Bommel (Fri Jul 04)

Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel re-affirmed his desire Friday to play for the Netherlands again following the departure of coach Marco van Basten. . . . more . . .