Weekend review

Sometimes, sports stars are never more in peril than when they’ve stepped away from the action. From the gruesome to the outlandish, brace yourself for some of the more unusual injuries of the sporting year

Italy coach Antonio Conte is among 104 people whom a prosecutor has requested be brought to trial under match-fixing charges in a wide-ranging case that allegedly has its roots in Singapore.

Deadline Day Moves in Bold

Leeds have announced the double signing of midfielder Tommaso Bianchi and striker Souleymane Doukara.

Real Madrid took centre stage on the final day of the summer transfer window as two Galacticos departed to make way for the most expensive player in the history of football.

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes paid tribute to opponents Freiburg for making them work hard for three points yesterday.

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has been handed a three-match Serie A suspension after directing a volley of abuse at a match official on Sunday.

Francesco Totti made Serie A history last night as his first-half penalty in a 3-1 victory over 10-man Genoa saw the veteran striker become the league’s joint-second highest scorer of all time.

Mario Balotelli made the perfect start to life at AC Milan last night as he scored twice — including a last-minute penalty — in his new side’s 2-1 Serie A win over Udinese at the San Siro.

Blame the referee — we all do it.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the eighth successive match as Real Madrid coasted to a 5-0 victory in Mallorca last night.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta admits he was relieved his side held on for a win in their nine-goal thriller with Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend.

Andrea Stramaccioni was overjoyed with his debut win as Inter Milan coach after his side edged Genoa 5-4 at San Siro yesterday.

Four goals from Lionel Messi put third-placed Valencia to the sword on a night when Barcelona could have scored a dozen but for the efforts of visiting goalkeeper Diego Alves.

Carlos Tevez's hopes of leaving Manchester City before Tuesday's transfer deadline could be over after AC Milan put their pursuit on hold until summer.

Carlos Tevez’s advisor Kia Joorabchian claims a rift with manager Roberto Mancini is at the heart of the player’s dispute with the club.

AC Milan will make a final decision regarding the signing of Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez tomorrow, according to club vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Catania striker Maxi Lopez is set to complete a permanent transfer to AC Milan later today, according to the Italian media.

Fulham have made an offer for Catania striker Maxi Lopez, according to the Italian club.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani yesterday said he expects to meet Manchester City officials on Thursday to discuss the possible transfer of Carlos Tevez.

Palermo today sacked coach Devis Mangia after less than four months in charge.

Paris St Germain have announced they will not interfere with AC Milan’s plans to sign Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez in January.

BAYERN MUNICH coach Jupp Heynckes admits he has started to dream about winning the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena next May.

JUVENTUS retained their two-point advantage at the top of Serie A and piled more misery on Claudio Ranieri’s Inter Milan with a 2-1 win at the San Siro on Saturday night.

GERMANY star Miroslav Klose struck a 90th minute winner as Lazio beat Roma 2-1 in a fiery Eternal City derby last night at the Stadio Olimpico.

The players' representatives of all 20 Serie A clubs have announced they will go on strike unless a settlement is reached regarding player contracts.

Anthony Stokes knows that no matter how well he plays at Kilmarnock tonight it still might not be enough to guarantee him a place in Sunday’s Old Firm game at Ibrox.

AC Milan had Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off as they were held to a shock draw at home to basement boys Bari at the San Siro.

Roma climbed to second in the Serie A standings tonight thanks to a 3-0 win over luckless Cagliari.

Catania have confirmed the appointment of former Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone as their new coach.

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero is confident his side will bounce back from their poor start to the year.

ITALY’S 1982 World Cup-winning coach, Enzo Bearzot, died in Milan yesterday.

CONNACHT’S proud tradition in Europe took a beating in Italy on Saturday night, falling to tournament newcomers and underdogs I Cavalieri Estra.

BARCELONA star Lionel Messi is set to spend up to three weeks on the sidelines with an ankle sprain.

Rafael Benitez has dismissed the latest jibe from predecessor Jose Mourinho as he attempts to maintain Inter Milan's domestic dominance when Serie A resumes this weekend.

The Argentina Football Association have confirmed a star-studded 24-man squad to face the Republic of Ireland in the first ever international match played in Aviva stadium on Wednesday, August 11 (kick off 7.45pm).

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti last night failed in his attempt to convince Real Madrid target Jose Mourinho to remain at the San Siro.

JOSE MOURINHO is expected to officially inform Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti today of his intention to join Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho is expected to officially inform Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti in the next 24 hours of his intention to join Real Madrid.

JOSE MOURINHO’S return to Stamford Bridge will not be a distraction for Chelsea’s players, according to Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti.

“I TURNED off the TV when we went 2-0 down. I couldn’t watch any more.”

INTER arrive in London today on the back of a worrying run of form.

Inter Milan have announced they will appeal against the three-match ban imposed on manager Jose Mourinho as well as the suspensions awarded to Esteban Cambiasso and Sulley Muntari by the Lega Calcio.

JOSE MOURINHO has been given a three-match ban and fined €40,000 following his handcuffs gesture during Saturday’s match with Sampdoria in which two Inter Milan players were sent off.

Japan 2 Scotland 0

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington hailed the strength of his side’s Italian opponents after slumping to a comprehensive 3-0 loss in Pisa last night.

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington handed out four new caps in his starting XI with Chris Casement, Colin Coates, Corry Evans and Stephen Carter all lining up for the first time in a largely inexperienced team to face Italy.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has called up eight uncapped players for the friendly against Northern Ireland on June 6.