Barcelona avenged its only defeat in the Spanish league this season with a record-equaling 3-0 win over Hercules on Saturday, provisionally moving seven points clear of second-place Real Madrid. To

Six teams that made it to the Asian Cup quarterfinals four years ago have progressed to the last eight again, showing little shift in power at the tournament. The only surprise absentee is three-time

Defender Maya Yoshida scored an injury-time goal to earn Japan a 1-1 draw against Jordan in the Asian Cup on Sunday and avoid an upset. Japan dominated the Group B match from the start but struggled

Italy forward Antonio Cassano has joined AC Milan for holiday training in Dubai ahead of a likely official move from Sampdoria when the transfer window opens in January. A picture on Milan’s website

The Premier League matches between Blackpool and Liverpool and Everton and Birmingham have been postponed because of the freezing conditions in the north of England. Blackpool’s home match on Sunday

* Benitez leaves after shock outburst about lack of signings * Leonardo or Zenga favourites for role, Spalletti unlikely (adds details, byline, quotes) By Mark Meadows MILAN, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Rafael

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has been voted the best French player of the year by France Football magazine. Nasri wasn’t involved in France’s World Cup fiasco. Then-coach Raymond Domenech left the

AC Milan are starting to escape from the pack after winning for the 10th time in 12 league games in Sunday's 3-0 success at Bologna. The rossoneri went six points clear at the top of Serie A as goals

Kuwait won the Gulf Cup on Sunday, beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in extra time in a tournament played amid heavy security and threats of violence from al-Qaida. Striker Waleed Aly scored in the 95th minute

UEFA charged Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho with “unsporting conduct” on Thursday over allegations he ordered two players to get themselves sent off in a Champions League match. UEFA’s disciplinary