Sepp Blatter confirms appeal to CAS over ban

Sepp Blatter has confirmed his intention to appeal against his eight-year FIFA ban from all football-related activity at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Blatter, who had already announced that he would step down as FIFA president ahead of February's elections, and UEFA counterpart Michel Platini were both banned for eight years by FIFA's Ethics Committee on Monday.
But the 79-year-old Swiss later announced in a media conference that he is to appeal to CAS.

United fans' belief being tested by poor form - Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal concedes the belief of Manchester United fans is being tested by their current slump.

Saturday's lacklustre 2-1 loss at home to Norwich City extended United's current winless run to six matches across all competitions and left them fifth in the Premier League  - nine points shy of surprise leaders Leicester City.

United's style of play under Van Gaal has come in for growing criticism among a section of the club's fanbase and media reports in the UK have linked them with a move for the recently available Jose Mourinho, who parted company with Chelsea last Thursday amid a dismal title defence.

But following a brief encounter with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in the aftermath of the Norwich loss, Van Gaal believes he still has backing at boardroom level.

"Ed was very fast out of the dressing room but I feel that support, yes," the Dutchman told reporters.

"The most important support is from the players because the players have to do it on the pitch and the chemistry between the players and the managers, and his staff is very important.

"Of course the belief of the fans in the manager is also very important. Last year we had only 13 [points, after 10 games] and they believed in me.

"Now we are in a bad period, we have lost three matches in a row, and their belief has been tested." 

FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini handed eight-year bans by FIFA

Fifa president Sepp Blatter and his Uefa counterpart Michel Platini have both been banned from all football-related activity for eight years with immediate effect, the Independent Ethics Committee of world football's governing body has confirmed.

Both men were provisionally suspended in October in relation to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 (£1.34m) from Fifa - and authorised by Blatter - to Platini in February 2011.

Blatter and Platini claimed this related to work carried out by the former France captain for Fifa between 1999 and 2002, citing a "gentleman's agreement".

However, in its ruling published on Monday, the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee said that the payment had "no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999". 

Furthermore, Blatter's assertion of an oral agreement was "determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber".

The 79-year-old Swiss, who had already announced his intention to stand down before February's FIFA presidential elections, has been fined 50,000 Swiss francs, with Platini fined 80,000 Swiss francs.

Meet the man who gets paid to play FIFA 12 everyday of the week

Wouldn’t it be great if some day you could just sit and play video games all day and earn a living off it? It’s a reality for a select few.

One of those select few is Jamie Bateson who is paid to play FIFA all day.

The former mechanic simply posts his FIFA exploits on his YouTube channel and watches the views, and the money, come rolling in. Continue

Flores-'Ighalo deserves his success'

Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores feels Odion Ighalo deserves the success he is enjoying in the Premier League this season.

The Nigeria striker scored twice as Watford recorded an impressive 3-0 home win over out-of-form Liverpool at Vicarage Road on Sunday – their fourth consecutive top-flight victory.

That took Ighalo's tally to 12 Premier League goals from 17 appearances and Flores was delighted with his showing against the Reds.

"Ighalo is the biggest scorer this season," Flores said to BBC Sport. "He is always close to the box, always shooting and creating attempts, he deserves it. 

"But of course it depends on the players, we create like a collective. We are completely happy with the performance. It was an amazing victory against an amazing team."

The win puts Watford, who are seventh in the table, just one point adrift of Tottenham in the fourth Champions League spot.

Flores was eager to remain realistic when asked if a top-four finish was possible, but admitted it is nice for the club to dream.

He said: "I don't want to talk about that. It is the moment to enjoy after this match, I like the happiness and I want to enjoy, the fans to enjoy. 

"We should be humble. This is our one advantage, because the Premier League is very tough. We have a lot of matches to play. We never underestimate the teams we play. Of course we want to dream but we want to remain humble." 

Watford are back in action against champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in what will be Guus Hiddink's first match back in charge of the Blues.

Madrid hit TEN past brave Rayo Vallecano

 Real Madrid saw off nine men Rayo Vallecano 10-2 at the Bernabeu in a game that saw the visitors reduced to nine before the end of the first half,
Madrid got off to a good start via Danilo on 3 mins but were pegged back 2-1 courtesy of two goals in quick succession from Rayo who were soon after reduced to nine after which a rout followed.
Gareth Bale hit four while Benzema netted a hattrick and Cristiano Ronaldo only managed two much to his frustration.

It was a really incredible and brave performance from Rayo who despite being nine did not give up and gave it everything, ending the match with 50% of the total ball possession.

Guus Hiddink wants Didier Drogba on Chelsea staff

Newly appointed Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has confirmed he wants Didier Drogba to be part of his backroom staff.

Hiddink was named as the new man in charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season on Saturday and is now looking to compile a team of staff to help him get Chelsea back on track.

The Dutchman was accompanied by Drogba in the stands during Saturday's 3-1 win over Sunderland and he has now made it clear that he is keen to bring the former Chelsea striker back to London.

"We would like to get him involved," Hiddink told Fox Sports when asked about whether Drogba is an option as his assistant.

"But he still has a contract with Montreal in the MLS, even though it is the close season for them now.

"But we definitely intend to get him involved.

"We want to get important players involved with the club they care about. Drogba's heart is with Chelsea."

Drogba enjoyed a successful first spell with Chelsea between 2004 and 2012, winning three Premier League titles, two League Cups, four FA Cups and the Champions League before returning to the club in 2014.

The 37-year-old won a fourth Premier League title and third League Cup last term but left for Montreal Impact after the 2014-15 campaign.

He has a contract with the MLS side until December 2016.

PSV duo arrested

PSV have confirmed Maxime Lestienne and Jeroen Zoet were arrested by Eindhoven police on Sunday morning after an incident outside a local party venue.

Both players went out to celebrate their hard-fought 3-2 Eredivisie win over Zwolle on Saturday, but got involved in an incident early in the morning.

Lestienne was arrested for his involvement in a fight, while Zoet was brought in for trying to prevent police from arresting his team-mate.

"Jeroen Zoet and Maxime Lestienne were involved in an incident at the Stratumseind in Eindhoven on Saturday night," a statement on the club's official website reads.

"Both players were brought in for questioning by police.

"PSV will discuss the matter with both players on Sunday and deal with it internally because it concerns a private matter."

Lestienne made his comeback versus Zwolle after a 10-week spell on the sidelines due to tragic personal circumstances, losing both his parents due to illness within the space of six weeks, and set up Luuk de Jong's winner with a fine cross from the left.

Jose Mourinho to attend Frank Lampard's wedding today

 It takes a lot to outshine the bride on her wedding day, but Jose Mourinho might do just that when he attends Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley's nuptials in London on Sunday.

The former Chelsea manager is still the subject of huge interest, three days on from his Stamford Bridge sacking, and will spend the latest of his days without work at his former player's wedding. Continue

Where next for Guardiola?

The confirmation that Pep Guardiola is to leave Bayern Munich at the end of this season will heighten intrigue over the sought-after former Barcelona coach's next move. He's obviously going to have a lot of offers on the table, but where would he fit in most? FourFourTwo investigates...Continue

Barcelona are World Champions for the third time!

Luis Suarez concluded his mastery of the Club World Cup as Barcelona collected their third global crown with a 3-0 final victory over River Plate.

Suarez scored a semi-final hat-trick as Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao were brushed aside and – joined once more by his forward allies Lionel Messi and Neymar – the Uruguayan star netted a second-half brace in the showpiece.

Messi, who missed the semi through illness, opened the scoring as Luis Enrique's team recovered from an uncertain opening to establish the control and dominance that has already secured the La Liga, Copa del Rey Champions League and Uefa Super Cup titles during 2015.

Neymar had to settle for a pair of assists on his return from a groin problem as Barcelona's formidable array of attacking talents made them the first club to win three Club World Cups, following successful 2009 and 2011 campaigns.

Video: Watch David Beckham in Light-saber duel with Star Wars actor John Boyega

David Beckham has everything a man could want: fame, money, looks, a beautiful family, his own underwear line AND his own scotch. But is he strong with the Force?

We all found out when the retired soccer star appeared on the BBC’s The Graham Norton Showalongside Star Wars actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Carrie Fisher. 

Drawing on Beckham’s recent role in the upcoming King Arthur movie, moderator Graham Norton challenged Beckham to a lightsaber duel against Boyego, who stars as Finn in “Episode VII: The Force Awakens.“ Take a look:

Juan Iturbe fuels transfer speculations with goodbye message

Roma forward Juan Iturbe has paid tribute to the Serie A club's supporters as speculation grows he is set to join Premier League club Watford in the January transfer window.

Widespread reports have suggested a deal has been agreed for the 22-year-old forward to join Quique Sanchez Flores' side on loan next month, with an option for them to buy him on a permanent basis.

Roma have included Iturbe in their squad to face Genoa on Sunday in what is almost certain to be his final appearance for the club prior to leaving and the player appeared to confirm his exit with a message on Instagram. Continue 

Breaking News: Pep Guardiola to leave Bayern at the end of the season

 Pep Guardiola is to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season and will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.

Guardiola, 44, has been linked with Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

The former Barcelona coach has won two league titles and the German Cup since joining Bayern in summer 2013.

Former Chelsea manager Ancelotti, 56, has been on a break from the game since being sacked by Real Madrid in May 2015.

"We are thankful to Guardiola for all he gave our club and hope to celebrate more success in the current season," Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German newspaper Bild.

"With Ancelotti we have another very successful coach coming to Bayern. We are looking forward to working together."

CWC: Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao 1

Luiz Felipe Scolari's men fell victim to a dramatic comeback as Sanfrecce Hiroshima sealed third place in the Club World Cup.

Douglas scored twice in the final 20 minutes as Sanfrecce Hiroshima came from behind to defeat Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao 2-1 in Yokohama, sealing third place in the Club World Cup. Continue

Bolton boss Neil Lennon in relationship scandal

Exclusive story from Mirror, very interesting and long

The Bolton Wanderers boss and BBC pundit had a romance with a woman 20 years his junior behind his partner's back

 Soccer boss Neil Lennon’s mistress has told of their ­relationship – and how he made a knife threat to her when she told him she would tell his partner.

It is a story the Bolton boss and BBC pundit tried to ban after he claimed he was the victim.

But today we can reveal how he had a year-long romance with the woman – 20 years his junior – behind his long- term partner’s back.

He began dating the girl after meeting her in a pub. But she claims their affair soured when she found Lennon had started seeing a third woman.

It was then that she threatened to go to his partner – only for Lennon to turn nasty, telling her someone “could” put a knife to her throat if she spoke out. Continue

Chelsea's Diego Costa Could be in some trouble

 While Chelsea enjoyed a long overdue convincing Premier League victory today (albeit against an abject Sunderland team), Diego Costa was in no mood to celebrate. Continue

Mr Wenger at it again,'Arsenal should have signed teen Sterling'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Raheem Sterling was never on his radar in the off-season, but admits he regrets not signing the Manchester City winger from QPR.

Sterling, 21, moved to Liverpool from QPR for £600,000 in 2010 before he broke through at Anfield and sealed a £49million transfer to Manchester City ahead of this season.

Wenger said Sterling was never a realistic transfer target for Arsenal in the off-season because of an abundance of talent in wide areas.

"We had many players on the flanks, but when Sterling was at QPR - that's where we should take the players," Wenger said.

"We watched him but you miss obvious players. The history of every club is full of top players that you missed.

"At the time Liverpool were quicker."

Wenger will be watching Sterling at a much closer range come Monday, when the England international will turn out against his injury-hit Arsenal side.

Both teams are at the forefront of the Premier League title race, but sit behind surprise leaders Leicester City.

Lol