Strong sales of alcohol in the Americas have helped European drinks firms to offset sluggish or non-existent growth in Europe and Asia.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes maintains wantaway midfielder Joey Barton is still very much their player.

Wigan forward Shaun Maloney struck a free-kick four minutes into injury time to nudge QPR closer to relegation from the Premier League today.

French spirits group Remy Cointreau is in talks to buy Scottish whisky maker Bruichladdich Distillery as it looks to tap booming demand for whisky from emerging markets in Asia.

FRENCH spirits groups Pernod Ricard and Remy Cointreau beat forecasts yesterday as strong Asian demand and a recovering US market lifted their quarterly sales while Pernod sounded a cautious note amid a fragile economic climate.

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admitted last night’s victory over Marseille was one that will boost morale and confidence at the club.

NICOLAS ANELKA has broken his silence on the fiasco of France’s World Cup and claimed he should not have been made the scapegoat for the team’s failings as it was his goal against Ireland in the qualifying play-off that helped Les Bleus reach South Africa.

Lyon could finally have been successful in their search for a striker after Fenerbahce accepted an offer for Daniel Guiza.