Jordi Cruyff says he is “touched” by the messages of support and tributes to his father Johan, who lost his battle with cancer on Thursday.

This is going to take years, isn’t it? Bring a good book next time.

Russia’s preparation for the 2018 World Cup is lurching from crisis to crisis...

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Slovan Bratislava and Sparta Prague after last Thursday’s Europa League match in Slovakia was interrupted for half an hour by clashes between supporters.

Chelsea 1 Sparta Prague 1(Chelsea win 2-1 on agg)

Chelsea 1 Sparta Prague 1 (Chelsea win 2-1 on aggregate)

Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic will be rested for tomorrow’s Europa League last-32 second leg against Sparta Prague.

Rafael Benitez has warned John Terry a place in his first XI is not guaranteed after the Chelsea captain’s fitness travails.

Europa League last 32: Sparta Prague 0 Chelsea 1

Sparta Prague 0 Chelsea 1

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes the Europa League will be given the respect it deserves when his side face Lyon in the last 32 of the competition.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes the Europa League will be given the respect it deserves when his side face Lyon in the last 32 of the competition.

Reigning European champions Chelsea will face Sparta Prague in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Sparta Maestro can further tighten his grip on the Mulvaney Memorial 600 at Shelbourne Park this evening when he lines out in the opening semi-final of the €5000 competition.

Invariably the commencement of the Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes signals the arrival of “Derby fever” at Shelbourne Park and there will be an extra lift to the racegoers’ strides at headquarters this evening where a high-class programme includes the three semis of both the Champion and the associated Plate.

Milldean Tally produced another brilliant performance when winning the 2012 Sporting Press Irish Oaks at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

Classic bike brand Raleigh was today sold to Dutch rival Accell in a deal valuing the 125-year-old company at £62.2m (€76m).

The dreadful weather conditions yesterday made things difficult for some trainers heading for the English Derby at Wimbledon which starts tomorrow night with 11 Irish runners in action in the first session.

Classic bike brand Raleigh, which has been designing and making cycles for 125 years, is in talks to be taken over by a Dutch rival, it emerged today.

DESPITE the gloomy economic climate, it has been a tremendous year for greyhound racing.

IT has been a very busy period on the southern circuit in the past month and more and the action remains furious this weekend with the final of the Red Mill Masters at Waterford on Saturday backed up by the final of the Tyrur Kennels Open 575 at Curraheen as well as top open action at Tralee and Limerick.

IT’S almost as drearily predictable as Daniel ‘one tattoo per injury’ Agger clocking off early.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could return for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to West Ham after three games out with a groin injury.

Liverpool 1 Sparta Prague 0 (agg: 1-0)

Liverpool have chosen not to risk captain Steven Gerrard but Joe Cole will start as Liverpool chase a place in the Europa League last 16 tonight.

Kenny Dalglish refuses to look beyond tonight’s clash with Sparta Prague as the momentum behind his Liverpool revival continues to gather.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is unlikely to return to action in tomorrow’s Europa League last-32 second-leg clash against Sparta Prague.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will not to rush captain Steven Gerrard back into action before he is ready, vowing to "think a bit longer term than just one game" ahead of tomorrow's Europa league tie against Sparta Prague.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists Joe Cole will be given all the time he needs to rediscover his best form after a disappointing and disjointed start to his Reds career.

KENNY DALGLISH waited 9,394 days to get the chance to manage Liverpool in Europe but after a turgid Europa League goalless draw against Sparta Prague, he must have wondered why he looked forward to it so much.

Emmanuel Mayuka struck four minutes into injury time as Swiss side Young Boys came back from a goal down to upset reigning Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 in their Europa League last 32 first leg clash.

Sparta Prague 0 Liverpool 0

LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish insists he does not have to manage the expectations of youngsters like Raheem Sterling as they have every right to enjoy first-team exposure.

Liverpool youth team prodigy Raheem Sterling could become the club’s youngest first-team player against Sparta Prague in the Europa League tomorrow.

MANCHESTER CITY insist they will be on their guard against Aris Thessaloniki in the first knock-out round of the Europa League knowing the Greek side have already accounted for the trophy’s holders.

Manchester City insist they will be on their guard against Aris Thessaloniki in the first knock-out round of the Europa League knowing the Greek side have already accounted for the trophy’s holders.

Former Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger has retired from football at the age of 36 due to persistent knee problems.

German winger Sergio Peter is expected to complete a transfer from Blackburn to Sparta Prague later today, the Ewood Park club have confirmed.

REAL MADRID striker Gonzalo Higuain hailed his side’s fighting spirit after Bernd Schuster’s side claimed an incredible Primera Liga victory over Malaga on Saturday.

Willem II heaped more misery on Feyenoord, inflicting a fourth defeat in six games on the Rotterdam giants in the Eredivisie.

Two goals from Marcus Berg helped FC Groningen claim a 3-1 win over 10-man Feyenoord and take their place at the top of the Eredivisie.