CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan hailed his side for the way they handled a heavily-watered artificial pitch to claim an impressive Champions League draw at Spartak Moscow.

UEFA have relaxed the punishment meted out to Denmark following the abandoned Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden.

The Irish Football Association today expressed their disappointment at UEFA’s decision to hand Sweden a 3-0 victory over Denmark following last Saturday’s abandoned Euro 2008 qualifier.

Sweden have been awarded a 3-0 victory over Denmark by UEFA following last Saturday’s abandoned Euro 2008 qualifier.

THE EURO 2008 qualifier between Sweden and Denmark was abandoned at 3-3 Saturday after a Danish fan tried to attack the referee for awarding a penalty kick in the 89th minute.

Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen was full of remorse after his actions sparked a chain of events which led to the Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden being abandoned when a fan attacked the referee.

The Euro 2008 qualifier between Denmark and Sweden was abandoned tonight after referee Herbert Fandel was attacked by a fan.

Rafael Benitez has warned new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks they will need to spend some serious money if Liverpool are to stand a realistic chance of meaningful silverware next season.

GERMAN official Herbert Fandel will referee tomorrow’s Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan in Athens.

German official Herbert Fandel will referee Wednesday’s Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan in Athens.

The treatment of footballer supporters in Europe is this weeks hot topic and our soccer correspondent Liam Mackey has got plenty to say about experiences of friendly local constabularies.

UEFA have confirmed Paul Scholes will serve a one-match ban for his dismissal during Manchester United’s Champions League defeat to AS Rome at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma 2 Manchester United 1

Champions League hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be handed a surprise start as Manchester United look to prise a first-leg advantage from their quarter-final first leg against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico tonight.

SATURDAY night’s 1-1 draw between Roma and Milan in Rome lived up to its billing as a possible dress rehearsal for the Champions League semi-final.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez stuck with exactly the same side that produced such a shock result in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago.

Alex Ferguson’s pre-match observations proved eerily accurate as Manchester United battled back from the brink of humiliation to book their place in the Champions League knockout stages.

REFEREE Terje Hauge has admitted he may have acted too hastily in sending off Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann in the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Referee Terje Hauge has admitted he may have acted too hastily in sending off Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann in the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren returned to his big guns in Eindhoven tonight as he attempted to end his reign by lifting the UEFA Cup.

JOSE ANTONIO REYES has hit out at referee Herbert Fandel for the “ridiculous” booking which rules him out of Arsenal’s last European match at Highbury.

Jose Antonio Reyes has hit out at referee Herbert Fandel for the “ridiculous” booking which rules him out of Arsenal’s last European match at Highbury.

Juventus 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg 0-2)

Juventus 0 Arsenal 0 (Arsenal win 2-0 on aggregate)

CHELSEA midfielder Michael Essien has been given a two-match ban by UEFA for last week’s horror tackle on Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been handed a two-match ban by UEFA for last week’s horror tackle on Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann.

UEFA disciplinary chiefs are expected to impose a one-match or two-match ban on Michael Essien today for his dangerous lunge at Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann.

UEFA disciplinary chiefs are expected to impose a one-match or two-match ban on Michael Essien tomorrow for his dangerous lunge at Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann.

CHELSEA midfielder Michael Essien has apologised to Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann for the tackle which has landed him with a UEFA charge.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has apologised to Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann for the tackle which has landed him with a UEFA charge.

CHELSEA face losing Michael Essien through suspension following UEFA's decision to charge the midfielder for his tackle on Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann on Tuesday.

UEFA have charged Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien with gross unsporting conduct after challenge on Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann.

The Football Association are seeking clarification from FIFA whether their stance on video evidence has changed after Sepp Blatter’s intervention into the debate over Michael Essien’s dangerous tackle on Dietmar Hamann.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given UEFA the green light to take disciplinary action against Michael Essien for the Chelsea midfielder’s shocking foul on Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given UEFA the green light to take disciplinary action against Michael Essien for the Chelsea midfielder’s shocking foul on Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann.

Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho made just one change for their final Champions League group G game against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Rep of Ireland 0 France 1

Rep of Ireland 0 France 1

Republic of Ireland 0 France 0

Brian Kerr has chosen Richard Dunne ahead of Andy O'Brien and Andy Reid instead of Steve Finnan in his team to face France in their Group 4 World Cup Qualifier tonight at Lansdowne Road.

ALTHOUGH they lie fourth in Group Four, France remain convinced they will qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals by taking six points from their upcoming qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and the Irish.

Liam Mackey