Premiership striker Lee Dong-Gook and goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae face a six-month suspension from South Korea’s national team over a late-night drinking spree during the Asian Cup, officials said Wednesday.
Defender Kim Sang-sik and forward Woo Sung-Yong are also under fire over the boozy night out with female staff at an Indonesian karaoke bar.
French international pair Thierry Henry and Eric Abidal will miss Barcelona’s league match against Valladeolid on Thursday, the Catalan club said Wednesday.
Henry has an Achilles problem while Abidal has hurt his ankle.
Former Arsenal star Henry has been complaining of pain in his heel for some time and could miss several matches.
Indonesia’s football association Wednesday dismissed calls by FIFA to replace its disgraced president after he was found guilty of large-scale corruption.
The sport’s world governing body this week called for fresh elections to replace Nurdin Halid, convicted over a cooking oil scandal, as president of the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI).
Barcelona reiterated Wednesday that Brazilian star Ronaldinho is not for sale, despite new press rumours announcing his imminent departure.
Madrid sports daily AS claimed the twice world player of the year was “on the market” and could even leave during January’s transfer window.
UEFA president Michel Platini expressed surprise Monday at the absence of the legendary striker Pele from Brazil’s delegation after they presented their candidacy to host the 2014 World Cup.
“How come Pele hasn’t come to an event like this and isn’t directly involved in the promotion of the World Cup in Brazil?” the head of European football’s governing body asked Brazilian journalists.
Uruguayan international striker Marcelo Zalayeta was slapped with a two-match suspension on Monday for tricking the referee into awarding his side Napoli a penalty in their 3-1 win over his former club Juventus on Saturday.
The match caused a scandal among Juventus directors, players and fans as referee Mauro Bergonzi was seen to award two highly dubious penalties to the home side.
Football’s world ruling body FIFA on Monday announced the end of their rotation policy for the hosting of the four-yearly World Cup.
However FIFA’s six continental confederations voted to maintain the rule that “countries belonging to confederations that hosted the two preceding tournaments are barred from applying”.
A late equaliser by Cesc Fabregas cancelled out Steven Gerrard’s first-half opening goal to earn a point for Arsenal at Liverpool and move Arsene Wenger’s side back to the head of the Premiership table.
Ten-man six-time reigning champions Lyon hung on to beat Paris Saint Germain 3-2 on Sunday to leave a question mark over the future of PSG coach Paul Le Guen and Marseille also took a knock this weekend.
Real Madrid endured some nervous moments but hung on to their Spanish league lead and retained their 100 per cent home record this season with a 3-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
Goals by Ruud van Nistelrooy, club captain Raul Gonzalez and Robinho produced a slightly flattering scoreline but moved the Spanish giants up to 22 points from their nine games.
