Maradona plans Naples birthday bash - despite tax bill
Diego Maradona is planning a 50th birthday party in Naples next month, despite owing the tax man there 37 million euros.

Rooney will travel to Switzerland, say FA
Wayne Rooney will travel to Switzerland for England's Euro 2012 qualifier despite being engulfed by lurid revelations about his private life, the Football Association confirmed on Monday.

Italy hero Cassano nearly a salami salesman
On Friday, Antonio Cassano made an excellent return to international football by scoring Italy's equaliser against Estonia. However, the Sampdoria striker admitted he almost became a salami salesman when he hit another low in his career a couple of years ago.

Ian Wright: Defoe as good as Villa
Ian Wright is full of praise for England's hat-trick hero Jermain Defoe. The Arsenal legend believes Defoe, who guided his country past Bulgaria last Friday, is as good as Barcelona striker David Villa.

Spurs stronger than Arsenal after Van der Vaart deal - Robben
Bayern München star Arjen Robben believes Tottenham Hotspur won't regret their decision to sign Rafael van der Vaart.

Robinho happy to end City time
Robinho has taken a swipe at his former employers Manchester City by claiming there was a lack of communication between him and the club.

Torres promises more
Fernando Torres has claimed that he will be at his best for the current season following an injury-plagued last 12 months.

Cambiasso's Inter is not boring
Internazionale midfielder Esteban Cambiasso has denied accusations that the club is playing a boring brand of football.

Xavi confident of further success
Xavi believes Barcelona are still the Primera Division favouites despite Real Madrid's summer spending.

Johnson's dream debut
Adam Johnson has said that it was a dream come true for him after scoring on his competitive debut for England as he sets his sights on breaking into Fabio Capello's starting XI.

Houllier set to be offered Villa job
Former Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier is set to be offered the vacant managerial post at Aston Villa.

Capello hits back at critics
England manager Fabio Capello has hit back at his critics after his team crush Bulgaria 4-0.

Benzema ready to step up for Bosnian challenge
France's Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema on Sunday declared himself fit and up for the challenge of reviving his country's battered footballing fortunes in Tuesday's second Euro 2012 qualifier against Bosnia.

Real pair urged to learn Spanish fast
Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann on Sunday urged new Real Madrid signings Mest Ozil and Sami Khedira to answer coach Jose Mourinho's criticisms by learning Spanish as quickly as possible.

Curse strikes Egypt again as Sierra Leone draw
An opening-round curse struck Egypt again Sunday when they were held 1-1 at home by lowly Sierra Leone in a 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier.

Drogba to continue playing for Ivory Coast
Didier Drogba on Sunday insisted that he had not given up on his international career with Ivory Coast.

Hot-shot Klose wary of minnows Azerbaijan
Veteran German striker Miroslav Klose expects Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier here against minnows Azerbaijan will be tougher than the World Cup showdowns against Argentina or England.

Domenech gets letter of dismissal
The French football federation has sent a letter of dismissal to former coach Raymond Domenech, who remains on the payroll as an employee of the federation's training staff, a source told AFP.

Ballack is part of my plans, says Loew
Germany coach Joachim Loew said on Sunday he still has captain Michael Ballack in his plans for the national side, despite dropping the midfielder for the opening Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Milner hoping Rooney ready for Swiss
England's James Milner voiced his support for Wayne Rooney on Sunday after lurid reports about the striker's private life cast a shadow over preparations for the team's Euro 2012 clash with Switzerland.