(FOOTBALL) Chelsea 'must win at Sunderland'

Chelsea win more important than popularity - Rafael Benitez

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez says winning at Sunderland on Saturday is more important for the team than his own hopes of winning over supporters. 

Benitez has been subjected to fierce criticism from Chelsea fans unhappy with his appointment in place of Roberto Di Matteo.
 

(FOOTBALL) Allardyce issues stadium warning

West Ham: Olympic Stadium move needs successful team - Allardyce 

 

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has warned that a move to the Olympic Stadium will not work without a successful team. 

The Hammers are considering relocating from Upton Park and have been named as preferred Olympic Stadium bidders.
 

(FOOTBALL) Kilbane retires from professional footbal

Kevin Kilbane: Coventry City captain retires

 

 

Coventry City captain Kevin Kilbane has announced his immediate retirement from professional football. 

The 35-year-old, who is the Republic of Ireland's third most capped player with 110 international games, had not played for the Sky Blues since 23 October.

(FORMULA1) Schumacher comeback 'a mistake

Michael Schumacher should not have returned - Bernie Ecclestone

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says Michael Schumacher should never have returned to Formula 1 after retiring in 2006. 

Schumacher won seven world titles in his first career, but returned in 2010 with Mercedes and managed just one podium finish in three years.

(FOOTBALL) Injured Terry will miss Club World Cup

John Terry: Chelsea skipper will miss Club World Cup

Chelsea captain John Terry's knee injury will keep him out of the Club World Cup in Japan. 

The Champions League winners will miss 11 days of domestic action to represent Europe in the competition next week.

(FOOTBALL) Ferguson questions City home penalties

Alex Ferguson: Manchester City get too many penalties at home

Sir Alex Ferguson has questioned the number of penalties rivals Manchester City are given at home.

Since the start of the 2010-11 season City have been awarded 20 Premier League spot-kicks at home to Manchester United's 13.

However, last season United were given nine penalties at Old Trafford - one more than their neighbours.

(FOOTBALL) City are United's little brother - Solskjaer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Man City are like Man Utd's 'little brother'

Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester City are like a "little brother" who will never take their "big brother's" place.

Ambitious City have spent big in recent years to compete with their rivals, the 19-time English champions. 

(FOOTBALL) Walcott must decide on future - Wenger

Theo Walcott needs to decide Arsenal future - Arsene Wenger

 

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he is frustrated that Theo Walcott is stalling on a new deal and wants him to decide on his Arsenal future soon. 

The striker is out of contract this summer and would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in the January transfer window.

(CRICKET) Taylor quits captaincy after snub

Ross Taylor replaced by Brendon McCullum as New Zealand captain

 

Ross Taylor has been replaced as New Zealand captain by Brendon McCullum after refusing to give up the roles in the shorter forms of the game. 

Taylor, 28, had been asked to remain Test captain but hand over the one-day and Twenty20 reins to 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum.

(FOOTBALL) Liverpool win in Italy to reach last 32

Jordan Henderson scored his first European goal as Liverpool beat Udinese to reach the Europa League last 32.

 

Henderson's low strike midway through the first half ensured the Reds finished top of Group A and qualified alongside Russians Anzhi Makhachkala.

Luis Suarez twice went close to doubling Liverpool's lead in Italy, with Henderson denied a second.

(FOOTBALL) Euro 2020 to be held across Europe

European Championship: Uefa to hold 2020 finals across continent

 

The 2020 European Championship finals will be held in a number of cities across Europe, Uefa has announced.

It is a change from the usual format, which involved either one or two countries hosting the tournament every four years.

(FOOTBALL) Europa holders miss seeding pot

Europa League: Holders Atletico Madrid may face Liverpool

 

Defending champions Atletico Madrid could face Liverpool in the Europa League last 32 after finishing runners-up in Group B to Plzen. 

Atletico were beaten 1-0 by the Czechs, who as group winners, join Liverpool as one of 16 seeded teams for the draw.

(WINTER SPORTS) GB sprinter takes up bobsleigh

Olympic sprinter Craig Pickering takes up bobsleigh

 

Former Olympic sprinter Craig Pickering has joined the GB bobsleigh team and dreams of making the 2014 Winter Games. 

Pickering, 26, competed in the 100m at Beijing four years ago but missed London 2012 after back surgery and lost his UK Athletics funding in October.

(FOOTBALL) Newcastle lose unbeaten European record

Newcastle lost their unbeaten record in this season's Europa League as they slipped to defeat in Bordeaux. 

(FOOTBALL) Spurs win to reach knockout stage

 

Two late strikes against Panathinaikos eased the tension at White Hart Lane and ensured Spurs progressed to the knockout stages of the Europa League. 

(FOOTBALL) Mikel banned for referee threats

John Mikel Obi banned for Mark Clattenburg threats

 

 

Chelsea's John Mikel Obi has been given a three-match ban and fined £60,000 by the Football Association for threatening referee Mark Clattenburg. 

Mikel admitted an FA charge following an incident in the match officials' changing room after Chelsea's defeat by Manchester United on 28 October.