As the Costa Rica team arrive at the crumbling, atmospheric Urbano Caldeira stadium in Santos, a Neymar lookalike starts juggling a football and a dozen or so vociferous supporters go wild, screaming and waving national team flags wildly.

Miguel Delaney and Julian Bennetts debate the question of the day.

A Brazilian judge sentenced the son of football legend Pele to 33 years in prison after finding him guilty of laundering money for a drug gang.

A Spanish court has charged La Liga champions Barcelona with tax fraud of €9.1 million over the transfer of Brazil forward Neymar.

A Spanish court has charged league champions Barcelona with tax fraud of €9.1m over the transfer of Brazil forward Neymar.

Barcelona have again defended their actions in the transfer of Neymar.

Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta have declared that their team-mate Cesc Fabregas is not about to join Manchester United and are convinced he will stay at Barcelona.

Gary Neville has advised Wayne Rooney against a move away Manchester United, insisting there is no bigger achievement than playing for the Premier League powerhouse.

Carlos Tevez is expected to complete a £13.5 million move to Juventus later this week.

Radamel Falcao is set to have a medical with Monaco today before moving to the Ligue 1 club for €60m, according to reports in Spain.

Santos 0 Barcelona 4

Brazil defender Maicon is set to remain at Inter Milan next season, according to his agent.

A cruise liner has been placed under quarantine in Brazil after hundreds of passengers were hit with vomiting and diarrhoea.

Manchester City forward Robinho has confirmed he is set to leave Eastlands, with a return to Santos the likely destination.

A Brazilian man who killed and dismembered British teenager Cara Burke was sentenced to 21 years in prison today.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will wait until Robinho returns from Brazil before deciding what action, if any, to take against the club’s record signing.

Robinho insists he does not have any problems with Manchester City manager Mark Hughes.

Brazil defender Alex has told Chelsea he wants to leave the club in January.

A further sharp slide in oil prices helped power the London market to a positive close today as travel firms and airlines soared on the lower cost of crude.

Shares in BG Group rose today after the oil and gas explorer announced another crude oil discovery off the coast of Brazil.

FOOTBALL legend Pele was held at gunpoint by a gang of youths in Brazil who robbed him of his gold necklace, mobile phone and watch, media reports said.

A notorious Brazilian criminal gang has unleashed a second wave of attacks against police, bringing to at least 52 the number of people killed in what one official called the deadliest assault of its kind in Brazil’s history.

A wave of kidnappings has rocked Brazilian soccer with the mothers of five players – including all-star strikers Robinho and Luis Fabiano – snatched since November.

Tottenham today revealed that they have opened talks with Sheffield United with a view to signing midfielder Michael Brown when the transfer window opens next month.