Soccer News Headlines

Soccer-Premier League roundup-Liverpool hope to sign Sahin
Hodgson determined to reach Brazil despite challenges
England's Hodgson to pick Terry for qualifiers
Soccer-Ligue 1 roundup-Marseille are the ideal test, says Pitau
Soccer-Spain roundup-Mascherano defends Valdes after Cup howler
UPDATE 2-Soccer-Moscow fans racially abuse Anzhi players
Soccer-Hodgson determined to reach Brazil despite challenges
Soccer-Ireland winger Duff quits internationals
Chelsea sign Marseille's Azpilcueta
Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday, Aug 24
Chelsea close to signing Moses: Di Matteo
Sunderland land Fletcher on four-year deal
Soccer-Sunderland land Fletcher on four-year deal
Soccer-Moscow fans racially abuse Anzhi players
Soccer-Italy roundup-Conte ban upheld as new season kicks off
Former Sweden captain Ljungberg retires
Soccer-Former Sweden captain Ljungberg retires
Chelsea sign defender Azpilicueta from Marseille
West Ham sign winger Jarvis from Wolves
Soccer-Chelsea sign defender Azpilicueta from Marseille
Ferguson rules out more Man Utd signings
Soccer-West Ham sign winger Jarvis from Wolves
Soccer-Greek championship fixtures
Soccer-Bundesliga fixtures
Soccer-Belgian championship fixtures
Soccer-Turkish championship fixtures
Soccer-La Liga fixtures
Soccer-Dutch championship fixtures
Soccer-Serie A fixtures
Soccer-Portuguese championship fixtures
Soccer-Ligue 1 fixtures
Soccer-Scottish Premier League fixtures
Soccer-English premier league fixtures
Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Friday, Aug 24
Osasuna land Ghana midfielder Annan on loan
Wigan accept fifth Chelsea bid for Moses
Barca fight back to take control of Super Cup
Lyon seek Evian tonic after Gourcuff injury blow
Soccer-'Pirate' Barcos gets surprise Argentina call-up
Valdes howler hands beaten Madrid lifeline

Soccer-Premier League roundup-Liverpool hope to sign Sahin

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:44 AM PDT

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Round-up of news before thisweekend's Premier League fixtures (times GMT) * Liverpool said they hoped to secure Real Madrid midfielderNuri Sahin on loan ahead of Sunday's home match againstchampions Manchester City. (1600) "Hopefully in the next 24 hours we'll get some confirmationon that," manager Brendan Rodgers said following Thursday'sEuropa Cup win over Hearts. The Turkish international was instrumental in helpingBorussia Dortmund win the Bundesliga in the 2010/11 season buthas made only a handful of appearances for Real last term. ...

Hodgson determined to reach Brazil despite challenges

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:39 AM PDT

LONDON (Reuters) - The 2014 World Cup in Brazil poses "logistical problems" but the tournament will have added spice because of the country's obsession with soccer, England manager Roy Hodgson said on Friday. Hodgson, speaking at a news conference with Scotland coach Craig Levein, Chris Coleman of Wales and Michael O'Neill of Northern Ireland thought visiting teams and fans would face big challenges in terms of climate and travel. "They've got a major logistical problem on their hands. It's a vast country. I don't think we realise quite how vast," he said. ...

England's Hodgson to pick Terry for qualifiers

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:38 AM PDT

England manager Roy Hodgson confirmed on Friday that he plans to pick John Terry for his team's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine even though the Chelsea defender faces disciplinary action for racial abuse.

Soccer-Ligue 1 roundup-Marseille are the ideal test, says Pitau

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:27 AM PDT

PARIS, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Brief news from Ligue 1 ahead ofthis weekend's matches (all times GMT): * Facing Olympique Marseille is the best opportunity tobounce back after a disappointing start, Montpellier midfielderRomain Pitau said ahead of their home game on Sunday (1500). Champions Montpellier, who lost in stoppage time at Lorientlast weekend, have only one point from their first two gameswhile Marseille are on six, behind leaders Olympique Lyon ongoal difference. "We entertain Marseille, we know the stadium will be full,it's a kind of derby of the South. ...

Soccer-Spain roundup-Mascherano defends Valdes after Cup howler

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:20 AM PDT

MADRID, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Brief news from La Liga ahead ofthis weekend's matches (all times GMT): * Javier Mascherano has defended team mate Victor Valdesafter the Barcelona goalkeeper's mistake gifted Real Madrid alate goal in Barca's 3-2 Spanish Super Cup first leg victory atthe Nou Camp on Thursday. Valdes fluffed his first touch and allowed Real winger AngelDi Maria to fire home but Mascherano said Barca would not beabandoning their insistence on always playing the ball, in whichValdes had an important role. ...

UPDATE 2-Soccer-Moscow fans racially abuse Anzhi players

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:17 AM PDT

MOSCOW, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The head of the violence-plaguedDagestan region on Friday appealed to the Russian people tofight nationalism and racism a day after Anzhi Makhachkalasupporters were attacked by Moscow fans following a EuropaLeague match marred by crowd trouble. "While most Russian fans cheered Anzhi's victory, othershave tried to use the match to incite nationalistic hysteria andhatred between various ethnic groups in Russia," Dagestan leaderMagomedsalam Magomedov said in a statement. Magomedov said it was not the first time Anzhi fans had beenvictims of nationalistic violence. ...

Soccer-Hodgson determined to reach Brazil despite challenges

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:09 AM PDT

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The 2014 World Cup in Brazilposes "logistical problems" but the tournament will have addedspice because of the country's obsession with soccer, Englandmanager Roy Hodgson said on Friday. Hodgson, speaking at a news conference with Scotland coachCraig Levein, Chris Coleman of Wales and Michael O'Neill ofNorthern Ireland thought visiting teams and fans would face bigchallenges in terms of climate and travel. "They've got a major logistical problem on their hands. It'sa vast country. I don't think we realise quite how vast," hesaid. ...

Soccer-Ireland winger Duff quits internationals

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 07:54 AM PDT

DUBLIN, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Ireland winger Damien Duffannounced his retirement from international soccer on Fridayafter becoming one of only five players to earn 100 caps for thenational team. Duff, 33, who made his debut for the senior team in March1998 against the Czech Republic, captained Ireland in his lastappearance for his country in their final Euro 2012 matchagainst Italy after the team failed to qualify for the secondround. "Damien will be missed by us and by Irish fans everywhere. ...

Chelsea sign Marseille's Azpilcueta

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 07:02 AM PDT

French Ligue 1 side Marseille on Friday said they had reached an agreement with English giants Chelsea to sell their Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta.

Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday, Aug 24

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 06:59 AM PDT

Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday (times GMT): CYCLING LOS ANGELES - Seven-times Tour de France champion LanceArmstrong said he would no longer fight doping charges by theU.S. Anti-Doping Agency which then announced it would strip himof his titles and ban him from competitivecycling.(CYCLING-ARMSTRONG/DOPING (UPDATE 2), pix, tv, graphics,by Dan Whitcomb) - - Tour of Spain, (to Sept. 9) ALCANIZ, Spain - Spaniard Joaquim holds the overall lead atthe start of the seventh stage, 164.4 kms from Huesca andfinishing in Alcañiz. ...

Chelsea close to signing Moses: Di Matteo

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 06:55 AM PDT

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo on Friday confirmed that the European champions are close to signing Nigeria forward Victor Moses from Wigan.

Sunderland land Fletcher on four-year deal

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 05:54 AM PDT

(Reuters) - Scotland international Steven Fletcher has joined Sunderland on a four-year deal from Championship (second tier) side Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Premier League club announced on Friday. The 25-year-old striker, who handed in a transfer request this month, moved for an undisclosed fee. "It has been no secret that we needed to strengthen our attacking options and Steven has a proven track record of scoring goals," Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill said on the club's website (www.safc.com). "He is young and constantly improving and he will be a very welcome addition to the squad. ...

Soccer-Sunderland land Fletcher on four-year deal

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 05:47 AM PDT

Aug 24 (Reuters) - Scotland international Steven Fletcherhas joined Sunderland on a four-year deal from Championship(second tier) side Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Premier Leagueclub announced on Friday. The 25-year-old striker, who handed in a transfer requestthis month, moved for an undisclosed fee. "It has been no secret that we needed to strengthen ourattacking options and Steven has a proven track record ofscoring goals," Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill said on theclub's website (www.safc.com). "He is young and constantly improving and he will be a verywelcome addition to the squad. ...

Soccer-Moscow fans racially abuse Anzhi players

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:35 AM PDT

MOSCOW, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Anzhi Makhachkala thanked Moscowpolice on Friday for keeping order and protecting their fans atthe Lokomotiv Stadium during a Europa League first-leg tiemarred by crowd trouble. "We would like to say special thanks to the LokomotivFootball Club for providing their home arena for our match,"Anzhi said on their website (www.fc-anji.ru). "We also want to thank the Moscow police for providing ahigh level of security during the match. ...

Soccer-Italy roundup-Conte ban upheld as new season kicks off

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:25 AM PDT

ROME Aug 24 (Reuters) - Brief news from Serie A before thisweekend's opening round of matches (all times GMT). * AC Milan will be without striker Alexandre Pato for theirhome match against to Sampdoria on Sunday (1845) after theBrazilian suffered an abductor muscle injury, the club said ontheir website (www.acmilan.com) * Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic will miss his newclub's first game of the season away at Pescara on Sunday (1845)after sustaining a knee injury in training. The club said the keeper, who was bought from Udinese, hadbeen operated on and would not feature at the ...

Former Sweden captain Ljungberg retires

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:23 AM PDT

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Former Arsenal player and Sweden captain Freddie Ljungberg has decided to retire from soccer, his press adviser told Swedish television on Friday. "It's correct that Fredrik has taken the decision to quit. I got the decision on Wednesday," Lili Assefa told the SVT channel. The 35-year-old, capped 75 times by his country, was without a club after terminating his contract with Japan's Shimizu S-Pulse by mutual consent in February. ...

Soccer-Former Sweden captain Ljungberg retires

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:16 AM PDT

STOCKHOLM, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Former Arsenal player andSweden captain Freddie Ljungberg has decided to retire fromsoccer, his press adviser told Swedish television on Friday. "It's correct that Fredrik has taken the decision to quit. Igot the decision on Wednesday," Lili Assefa told the SVTchannel. The 35-year-old, capped 75 times by his country, was withouta club after terminating his contract with Japan's ShimizuS-Pulse by mutual consent in February. ...

Chelsea sign defender Azpilicueta from Marseille

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:07 AM PDT

(Reuters) - Chelsea have signed Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille, the Premier League club said on Friday. "The 22-year-old right-back, who recently represented Spain at the London Olympics, arrives at Stamford Bridge following a two-year spell in France's Ligue 1 with Marseille," Chelsea said on their website (www.chelseafc.com). No transfer fee or length of contract were mentioned. Azpilicueta started his career at Osasuna, before leaving La Liga for Ligue 1 in 2010. ...

West Ham sign winger Jarvis from Wolves

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:05 AM PDT

(Reuters) - West Ham have signed England international Matt Jarvis from Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Premier League club announced on Friday. No fee was disclosed for the 26-year-old, although West Ham said he was the club's record signing. The winger's contract runs until 2017, with an option for a further year, and he could make his Hammers debut against Swansea on Saturday. "I'm delighted to have signed," he told the West Ham website (www.whufc.com). "It's a fantastic club and I'm pleased to be here. It's a great club and it's got great history and tradition. ...

Soccer-Chelsea sign defender Azpilicueta from Marseille

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 03:48 AM PDT

Aug 24 (Reuters) - Chelsea have signed Spanish defenderCesar Azpilicueta from Marseille, the Premier League club saidon Friday. "The 22-year-old right-back, who recently represented Spainat the London Olympics, arrives at Stamford Bridge following atwo-year spell in France's Ligue 1 with Marseille," Chelsea saidon their website (www.chelseafc.com). No transfer fee or length of contract were mentioned. Azpilicueta started his career at Osasuna, before leaving LaLiga for Ligue 1 in 2010. ...

Ferguson rules out more Man Utd signings

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 03:38 AM PDT

Alex Ferguson has ruled out any more summer signings at Manchester United and insists time is running out for any player looking to leave.

Soccer-West Ham sign winger Jarvis from Wolves

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 03:28 AM PDT

Aug 24 (Reuters) - West Ham have signed Englandinternational Matt Jarvis from Wolverhampton Wanderers, thePremier League club announced on Friday. No fee was disclosed for the 26-year-old, although West Hamsaid he was the club's record signing. The winger's contract runs until 2017, with an option for afurther year, and he could make his Hammers debut againstSwansea on Saturday. "I'm delighted to have signed," he told the West Ham website(www.whufc.com). "It's a fantastic club and I'm pleased to be here. It's agreat club and it's got great history and tradition. ...

Soccer-Greek championship fixtures