CJ Stander must fill the Munster leadership vacuum if the province are to succeed in Europe this season and he is to force his way into an Ireland jersey, says double European winner Shane Horgan.

Hristo Stoichkov has warned Pedro he must not join Manchester United because Louis van Gaal is a “mediocre” manager who will “destroy” him.

Premier League

Uli Hoeness will not appeal against his prison sentence for tax evasion, and said today he is quitting as president of Bayern Munich to prevent damage to the European champions.

Real Madrid target Gareth Bale did not report to Tottenham’s training ground this morning, it's understood.

Andre Villas-Boas expects a “frantic” end to the transfer window that he admits could see Gareth Bale leave Tottenham.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher does not believe it is a foregone conclusion striker Luis Suarez will leave this summer.

I watched the qualifier against the Faroe Islands a long way from home — and yet it still felt very much like home.

Leinster appear to have signalled their intention on bringing Australian superstar Drew Michell to Dublin 4.

Brentford 2 Chelsea 2

It’s now beginning to look like Roman Abramovich’s scorched earth approach to manager-management can even cause collateral damage – witness Southampton’s stirring fightback from two-down at the Bridge on Wednesday to be followed, just two days later, by the sacking of Saints boss Nigel Adkins.

Premier League: Stoke V Chelsea

Chelsea 0 Swansea 2

Edinburgh 16 Leinster 31

John Obi Mikel has signed a new five-year contract at Chelsea, the club announced today.

Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0

Leeds manager Neil Warnock has criticised Chelsea’s decision to file a complaint against referee Mark Clattenburg.

Mark Clattenburg and the Football Association were today both waiting to discover whether police would investigate allegations the referee used “inappropriate language” towards Chelsea stars John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata.

Chelsea tonight made a formal complaint against referee Mark Clattenburg after accusing him of using “inappropriate language” to two of their players in the controversial defeat to Manchester United.

Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2

Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta has completed his move from Marseille to Chelsea, the French club have confirmed.

Spanish boss Vicente Del Bosque was his typical modest self after his side had steamrolled Italy 4-0 to win Euro 2012 in Kiev last night.

Alexandros Tziolis and Panagiotis Kone were today omitted from the Greece squad for Euro 2012.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque admits the news centre-back Carles Puyol is set to miss this summer’s European Championships with a knee injury is a major blow for the defending champions.

Cesc Fabregas today spoke of facing the challenge of his life after completing his move from Arsenal to Barcelona.

Cesc Fabregas has finally completed his move to Barcelona from Arsenal after signing a five-year contract with the European champions.

Cesc Fabregas has arrived at the Nou Camp to continue his Barcelona medical as he looks to put the finishing touches to his move from Arsenal.

ARSENAL last night finally accepted defeat in their efforts to keep captain Cesc Fabregas and announced a deal has been reached in principal for Fabregas to return to Barcelona.

EMBATTLED Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger suffered another blow yesterday after it emerged the Gunners had missed a deadline that would have allowed them to sign Juan Mata for £18 million.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola claims Arsenal have agreed to negotiate the sale of Cesc Fabregas to the European champions.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI appears to accept that success or failure to qualify for next year’s European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine will determine his future as Ireland manager.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has revealed Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas told him he was “suffering” because of his desire to join the Catalan club.

ARSENAL stars Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are expected to return to pre-season training at London Colney this week despite the possibility that neither will be at the club by the time the Premier League season starts next month.

AS THE Schalke players stood and applauded the home support after their rout of the European Champions 12 days ago, one slight figure jogged over, vaulted the advertising boards and mounted the steps of the stand to join the hordes of ecstatic fans.

IT’S been quite a week of smokescreens and mind games, so no one is surprised that Harry Redknapp will not say whether or not Gareth Bale will face AC Milan tonight.

Gennaro Gattuso could be facing a lengthy European ban after his headbutt on Joe Jordan took the gloss off Tottenham’s fine 1-0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro last night.

TOTTENHAM have been on a steep learning curve in the Champions League this season, but it does not mean Harry Redknapp will change his ways.

Gareth Bale declared he would never forget Tottenham’s historic victory over Inter Milan after another jaw-dropping performance from the winger toppled the European champions.

TOTTENHAM almost made the greatest of escapes in Milan last night, losing to Inter but salvaging some pride against the European Champions in a remarkable game.

Premier League striker Mario Balotelli was involved in a car crash this morning, police confirmed tonight.

One of Ireland’s best medal hopes missed out at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona tonight.

Holland 0 Spain 1

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque’s job is safe no matter what happens in their next two group matches at the World Cup, according to RFEF president Angel Maria Villar.

INTER MILAN president Massimo Moratti last night confirmed Rafael Benitez has agreed a deal to become the club’s new coach.