TO MAKE the travelling supporters from Germany feel welcome at Old Trafford, Manchester United opted to print a picture on the front cover of the programme featuring Bayern Munich players celebrating with the European Cup after defeating Saint Etienne in 1976.

FRANCE defender Eric Abidal yesterday fired back at Richard Dunne, who recently questioned Raymond Domenech’s ability to manage Les Bleus successfully.

Liverpool have signed French left-back Chris Mavinga from Paris St Germain while forward Nabil El Zhar has penned a contract extension.

TOTTENHAM head coach Juande Ramos insists the UEFA Cup is as important as Tottenham’s battle to lift themselves off the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

PORTSMOUTH manager Harry Redknapp could be set to bring in two new faces as the club prepare to make their UEFA Cup debut.

Tottenham will face Wisla Krakow in the first round of the UEFA Cup.

JUST when Real Madrid seemed to be building an unassailable lead, with an unbeaten run stretching back three months, the champions have lost two away matches in a row, and suddenly the gap at the top has closed.

GUINEA are back in the hunt for a place in the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 3-2 win over Morocco yesterday.

RONALDINHO shrugged off claims about his weight as he helped Barcelona shrug off their mini-crisis and go two points clear in La Liga with a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last night. An own goal by Amorebieta, a fine volley by Xavi and a cool finish from the recalled Eto’o in a brilliant first half display saw Barca home.

Showbiz stars including former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker today condemned London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s suspension as an “outrage against democracy”.

MILAN striker Andriy Shevchenko has returned to form at just the right time to finish off PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League semi-final at the Philips Stadium tonight.

MARSEILLE president Christophe Bouchet has thanked the French football federation (FFF) for refusing to deliver a letter of release for Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.

Marseille president Christophe Bouchet has thanked the French football federation (FFF) for refusing to deliver a letter of release for Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.