TOKYO: The head of Japan`s football association, who is spearheading the country`s bid for the 2022 World Cup, is to quit following a boardroom revolt over his "forceful" rule, press reports said Saturday.Motoaki Inukai, 68, is expected to be replaced as Japan Football Association (JFA)

MADRID: Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna says it has reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid to transfer its Brazilian international defender Filipe Luis to the Europa League champions.The 24-year-old, who joined Deportivo in 2006, passed his medical tests to complete the deal, it said

MADRID: Villarreal said Saturday it has been selected by UEFA to replace Real Mallorca in this season`s Europa League after the European football`s governing body banned the cash-strapped club for falling foul of financial regulations.Real Mallorca finished in 5th place in the Spanish

LEEDS: Pakistan held their nerve to claim a first Test victory against Australia in 15 years during a tense fourth-day finish at Headingley here on Saturday.Pakistan, set 180 to win, lost four wickets for 40 runs before finishing on 180 for seven and a three-wicket win as they levelled

LONDON: Manchester United are set to begin negotiations with Wayne Rooney on a lucrative new contract, even though the England striker still has two years to run on his current agreement.United chief executive David Gill announced his plans after confirming Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic

SYDNEY: US rocker Jon Bon Jovi will donate seats to fans as part of his association with new Australian A-League football club Melbourne Heart this season, the club said on Saturday.Lifelong sports fan Bon Jovi has taken on the role as the club`s number one international ticket holder and

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka suffered a major blow on Saturday when a knee injury ruled sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga out of the second Test against India.His absence means the hosts will be deprived of both architects of their 10-wicket win in the first Test at Galle -- Malinga and the

LEEDS: Pakistan held their nerve to claim a first Test victory against Australia in 15 years during a tense fourth-day finish at Headingley here on Saturday.Pakistan, set 180 to win, lost four wickets for 40 runs before finishing on 180 for seven and a three-wicket win as they levelled

MADRID: Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho says it would be "a dream" to join Jose Mourinho, who was his coach at the English club and at Portuguese side Porto, at Real Madrid."If there was a possibility to sign with Real Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running," he said in

ROME: AS Roma`s veteran captain Francesco Totti has been called before the Italian Football Federation`s (Figc) disciplinary authorities over comments he made about referees earlier this week.Speaking to the press on Tuesday Totti said Roma had been robbed of two Serie A titles.The Figc

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson are struggling with groin injuries but he expects the Gunners duo back in action soon.Denmark striker Bendtner and Brazilian midfielder Denilson did not travel to Arsenal`s training camp in Austria as a result of

ROME: More than 115,000 euros has been raised to construct a pediatric centre in the Democratic Republic of Congo by football fans eager to have their picture taken with the Champions League trophy.In just two weeks at a branch of the Banco Popolare di Milano in Milan, more than 21,000

BUDAPEST: Hungary national coach Erwin Koeman has been axed and replaced by Sandor Egervari, the country`s football federation (MLSZ) announced on Friday."While recognising the talents of Mr Koeman, the MLSZ have ended their contract with the coach by mutual consent to allow for the

BERLIN: French footballer Franck Ribery said Friday he is not worried about his career despite being charged this week with having sex with an under-age prostitute, because he did not knowingly do anything wrong."I am not scared about my future or about my career, either in the (French)

LAGOS: Swede Lars Lagerback has turned down an offer to continue as Nigeria coach, the national football federation (NFF) confirmed on Friday.NFF president Aminu Maigari said that Lagerback told him he did not wish to continue in his post despite being offered a four-year deal, with

NYON: Cash-strapped Spanish league club Real Mallorca, who boast world tennis number one Rafael Nadal as a shareholder, have been banned from this season`s Europa League, UEFA announced on Thursday.   European football`s governing body said the decision had been taken after Mallorca,

 LYON: Veteran Brazilian defender Cris signed a two-year extension to his contract with French club Lyon on Thursday.   The 33-year-old, who arrived at Lyon from Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte in 2004, will be tied to the club until the end of the 2012-2013 season.   "My Lyon story is not

 LONDON: The 2012 London Olympics will not escape the austerity measures imposed by Britain`s new coalition government, the minister responsible for the Games told AFP in an interview.   When his Conservative Party was in opposition, Hugh Robertson attacked the way the Games budget

ATLANTA: Andy Roddick resumed where he left off nearly a decade ago, advancing with a 6-1, 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 win over Rajeev Ram at the Atlanta Tennis Championships nine years after his last appearance at the venue. Third seed Lleyton Hewitt fell victim to Slovak Lukas Lacko, who stunned

SYDNEY: Tickets are selling fast for this year`s Ashes cricket series against England with some Test days already sold out, Cricket Australia said on Friday. Tickets for the opening three days of the third Test at Perth`s WACA Ground have sold out while the fifth Sydney Test has sold out