Sports News

Toni slams Van Gaal, wants to return to Italy

Bayern Munich's Italian striker Luca Toni arrives for a training session in Munich, southern Germany on November 23. Toni has revealed his relationship with Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal is at breaking point and admitted he wants to return to Italy to secure his World Cup place.
AFP - Wednesday, November 25

BERLIN (AFP) - - Italian striker Luca Toni on Tuesday revealed his relationship with Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal is at breaking point and admitted he wants to return to Italy to secure his World Cup place. More »

  • Liverpool's Ryan Babel (left) vies with Lyon's Sidney Govou during their UEFA Champions League match at the Gerland stadium in Lyon on November 4. Dutch winger Babel has reportedly threatened to walk out on Liverpool unless he gets more first-team football, adding to the sense of crisis gathering around Anfield in what has been a frustrating season to date.

    Unhappy Babel hints at Reds exit

    AFP - Wednesday, November 25

    LONDON (AFP) - - Dutch winger Ryan Babel has reportedly threatened to walk out on Liverpool unless he gets more first-team football, adding to the sense of crisis gathering around Anfield in what has been a frustrating season to date.

  • Damien Traille (pictured on November 10) was given the starting job at full back when the French XV to play New Zealand in Marseille on November 28 night was named.

    Traille back for France against All Blacks

    AFP - Wednesday, November 25

    MARCOUSSIS, France (AFP) - - Damien Traille was given the starting job at full back on Tuesday when the French XV to play New Zealand in Marseille on Saturday night was named.

  • Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot during the final round of the Dubai World Championship on November 22. McIlroy said he still had his sights set on topping the European money list despite opting to take out a full US PGA card next season.

    Golfer McIlroy sets sights on European top spot

    AFP - Wednesday, November 25

    MISSION HILLS, China (AFP) - - Rory McIlroy said Tuesday he still had his sights set on topping the European money list despite opting to take out a full US PGA card next season.

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi takes part in a training session at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on the eve of their Champions League match against Inter Milan.

    Barca wary of exit as Eto'o comes home

    AFP - Wednesday, November 25

    MADRID (AFP) - - Barcelona's dream of retaining the Champions League trophy for the first time is on the line on Tuesday when they face a must-win Group F match against unbeaten Inter Milan and defeat could see the holders crash out of the competition.

  • Samuel Eto'o of Inter Milan (centre) takes part in a training session at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 23 on the eve of their Champions League match against Barcelona. It would normally be unthinkable -- but it is just possible that holders Barcelona will become the first winners since the 1993 introduction of the Champions League format not to survive the group stages.

    Injury crisis gnaws at Barca as Liverpool face exit

    AFP - Wednesday, November 25

    PARIS (AFP) - - It would normally be unthinkable -- but it is just possible that holders Barcelona will become the first winners since the 1993 introduction of the Champions League format not to survive the group stages.

  • Houston Texans' running back Steve Slaton (right) rushes past linebacker Gerald McRath (left) of the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter on November 23 in Houston, Texas. A field goal by Rob Bironas helped the Tennessee Titans secure a 20-17 victory over the Texans for their fourth straight National Football League victory.

    Titans win fourth straight after 0-6 NFL start

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    HOUSTON, Texas (AFP) - - Rob Bironas booted a 53-yard field goal with less than a minute to play as the Tennessee Titans beat the Houston Texans 20-17 Monday for their fourth straight National Football League victory.

  • Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns sparked the ire of Detroit coach Jim Schwartz when he suggested Lions players faked injuries Sunday as a delaying tactic in their 38-37 NFL win over the Browns.

    Browns coach Mangini doubts Lions injuries

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    CLEVELAND, Ohio (AFP) - - Cleveland coach Eric Mangini sparked the ire of Detroit coach Jim Schwartz when he suggested Lions players faked injuries Sunday as a delaying tactic in their 38-37 NFL win over the Browns.

  • Rafael Nadal of Spain said he needed to rediscover his composure when facing crucial points and admitted he was short of confidence in his bid to claim the season-ending World Tour Finals crown.

    Nadal needs to regain his composure

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    LONDON (AFP) - - Rafael Nadal said he needed to rediscover his composure when facing crucial points and admitted he was short of confidence in his bid to claim the season-ending World Tour Finals crown.

  • Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning a point against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in a Singles match during the Barclays ATP World Tour Tennis Finals in London. Djokovic handed Davydenko another painful defeat at the ATP World Tour Finals as the Serb secured a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory on Monday.

    Defending champ Djokovic downs Davydenko again

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    LONDON (AFP) - - Defending champion Novak Djokovic handed Nikolay Davydenko another painful defeat at the ATP World Tour Finals as the Serb secured a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory on Monday.

  • Inter Milan's forward Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring against Bologna during their Serie A football match on November 21, at Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna. Just two weeks away from the eagerly-anticipated top-of-the-table 'derby of Italy' between Inter Milan and Juventus a new racism row is brewing.

    Balotelli chants raise temperature ahead of Juve-Inter

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    ROME (AFP) - - Just two weeks away from the eagerly-anticipated top-of-the-table 'derby of Italy' between Inter Milan and Juventus a new racism row is brewing.

  • Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo, seen here in 2007, on Monday urged fans to be

    Atletico Madrid president appeals for patience

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    MADRID (AFP) - - Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo on Monday urged fans to be "patient" after the club's disastrous start to the season which has left it in the relegation zone after just 11 matches.

  • Czech champions Slavia Prague's captain Marek Suchy, seen here in October 2009, is heading to Russia's nine-time champions Spartak Moscow on a one-year loan, his team said on Monday.K

    Slavia Prague loan captain Suchy to Spartak Moscow

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    PRAGUE (AFP) - - Czech champions Slavia Prague's captain Marek Suchy is heading to Russia's nine-time champions Spartak Moscow on a one-year loan, his team said on Monday.

  • Tunisia have sacked coach Umberto Coelho, seen here in 2008, after their failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) announced on Monday.

    Tunisia sack coach Coelho

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    TUNIS (AFP) - - Tunisia have sacked coach Umberto Coelho after their failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) announced on Monday.

  • FIFA president Sepp Blatter, seen here in May 2009, has called an extraordinary general meeting for December 2 following the Thierry Henry handball incident and an ongoing investigation into match-fixing in Europe.

    FIFA call crisis talks after qualifiers, betting scandal

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    PARIS (AFP) - - FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called an extraordinary general meeting for December 2 following the Thierry Henry handball incident and an ongoing investigation into match-fixing in Europe.

  • The Norwegian speedskating federation on Monday fired the coach of its national team, American Peter Mueller, after he was accused of making inappropriate comments to skater Maren Haugli, seen here in 2006.

    US coach of Norwegian team fired

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    OSLO (AFP) - - The Norwegian speedskating federation on Monday fired the coach of its national team, American Peter Mueller, after he was accused of making inappropriate comments to an athlete.

  • Participants in the 2008 Volvo Race. A new Spanish team, Ayre Challenge, said on Monday it will take part in the next three editions of the Volvo Race around the world, the world's most gruelling offshore yacht race.

    New Spanish team to take part in next three Volvo races

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    MADRID (AFP) - - A new Spanish team, Ayre Challenge, said on Monday it will take part in the next three editions of the Volvo Race around the world, the world's most gruelling offshore yacht race.

  • Lorena Ochoa of Mexico hits her tee shot on the eighth hole during completion of the weather-delayed second round of the LPGA Tour Championship presented by Rolex at the Houstonian Golf and Country Club in Richmond, Texas. Ochoa seized her fourth straight Player of the Year award by one point over Jiyai Shin.

    Nordvist closes season with win, Ochoa player of year

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    HOUSTON, Texas (AFP) - - Anna Nordqvist won the LPGA Tour Championship Monday as Lorena Ochoa seized her fourth straight Player of the Year award by one point over Jiyai Shin.

  • Spain's Rafael Nadal was beaten in straight sets by Sweden's Robin Soderling in his opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals.

    Nadal's nemesis Soderling strikes again

    AFP - Tuesday, November 24

    LONDON (AFP) - - Rafael Nadal was beaten in straight sets by Robin Soderling in his opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals on Monday, the Swede repeating his shock French Open win over the Spaniard.

  • Arsenal's forward Carlos Vela (L) takes the ball past Standard Liege's Felipe (C) and goalkeeper Sinan Bolat during their Champions League Group H football match in London. Arsenal won 2-0.

    Gunners cruise into last 16

    AFP - Wednesday, November 25

    LONDON (AFP) - - Arsenal regained the swagger that has characterised their best performances this season as they eased into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Standard Liege on Tuesday.