Bastia striker Brandao has been handed a six-month ban for his headbutt on Paris St Germain's Thiago Motta, the Ligue de Football Professionnel has announced.

Laurent Blanc insists Paris St Germain will still be playing to win despite holding a 4-0 lead going into their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen tonight.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are not the world’s favourite footballers.

The summary of this summer's transfers after deadline day, club-by-club.

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.

The latest club-by-club transfer guide of all the happenings in the transfer window.

David Beckham made his Paris St Germain debut last night as Carlo Ancelotti’s men took a potentially vital step towards claiming the Ligue 1 title.

Alex Song has passed his medical with Barcelona as he puts the finishing touches on his £15m (€19m) move from Arsenal.

Arsenal have today confirmed that midfielder Alex Song has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

Cameroon international Alexandre Song has signed what Arsenal describe as a “long-term” contract with the London club.

Chelsea’s Jon Obi Mikel, Everton’s Joseph Yobo, Portsmouth duo Kanu and John Utaka, Newcastle’s Obafemi Martins and Sunderland’s Dickson Etuhu have been named in Nigeria’s squad for this month’s international friendly meeting with Australia at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

Nigeria coach Berti Vogts has named eight English-based players in his squad to face Australia in an international friendly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on November 17.

Former Liverpool and Rangers full-back Gregory Vignal has joined Lens on a four-year contract from Portsmouth.

Portsmouth 0 Wigan 2

The fairytale continued as Wigan stretched their amazing winning streak to seven matches, although Fulham manager Chris Coleman will surely feel but for referee Andre Marriner the Latics would never have stolen the points.

FORMER Middlesbrough midfielder Christian Karembeu has announced his retirement.

Thierry Henry insisted there will be no hangover from Arsenal’s Community Shield defeat by Chelsea when they start their Premiership campaign against Newcastle this weekend.

ARSENAL have moved quickly to secure the long-term future of teenager Cesc Fabregas as part of a three-pronged approach to cope with the departure of Patrick Vieira to Juventus.

Arsenal have moved quickly to secure the long-term future of teenager Cesc Fabregas as part of a three-pronged approach to cope with the departure of Patrick Vieira to AC Milan.

Arsenal are set to conclude a deal for Bastia’s Cameroon-born teenager Alexandre Song, the Corsican club have confirmed.

CESC FABREGAS believes he can help fill the midfield void left by the departure of Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira.

Cesc Fabregas is confident he can help fill the midfield void left by the departure of Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira.

Lyon have signalled they are willing to do a deal to sell Michael Essien to Chelsea but only if the Premiership champions are “very persuasive”.

Bastia defender Alexander Song has joined Arsenal on trial at their pre-season camp in Austria this week.

Lens have completed the signing of Alou Diarra on a four-year contract from Liverpool, according to club website www.rclens.fr.

Arsenal may be forced to splash out £16m (€22.8m) on Ghanaian Lyon star Mickael Essien to bolster their midfield ranks and ensure they are not beaten in the race for his signature.

Lille failed to reduce the lead of champions and Ligue 1 leaders Lyon when they were held 0-0 at Ajaccio on Saturday evening.

Patrick Vieira has fiercely criticised Spain's record in combating racism in football and paid tribute to England's record in acting against it.

FIFA yesterday demanded an explanation from the Spanish football federation for the abuse aimed at England’s black players and called for “the scourge of racism” to be eradicated from the game.

FIFA today demanded an explanation from the Spanish football federation for the racist abuse aimed at England players.

FRANCE central midfielder Benoit Pedretti was yesterday ruled out of the World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Cyprus next month.

CHRIS Hughton is optimistic Tottenham will not be put off in their bid to land Paul Robinson and James Milner just because Leeds rejected their initial £5million offer for the pair.

SPECULATION intensified last night on Christian Vieiri’s future at Inter Milan after he was left out of the side for the shock home defeat by Empoli.

Paris St Germain’s new Swiss playmaker Hakan Yakin has picked up an injury that is set to sideline him for some time – but his own doctor disagrees with the verdict of PSG medics.

Argentinian midfielder Adrian Jesus Bastia has spelt out his desire to play for Aston Villa, who are being linked with the £2m-rated Racing Club player.

BAYERN MUNICH destroyed Hamburg SV 3-0 on Saturday to pick up their second easy win in two weeks and move into third place in the Bundesliga while promoted VfL Bochum extended their unbeaten run to stay top.

BRAZILIAN, Elber struck four times as Bayern Munich put their German league title chase on track by hammering Arminia Bielefeld 6-2 on Saturday.

The start of the French cup final was delayed for 20 minutes tonight after the national anthem was booed by some spectators and an angry President Jacques Chirac demanded an apology.

Ronaldo is hoping to make his return to competitive action when Inter Milan take on Parma next Sunday.