FIFA.com - News

Training, tournaments dominate in Futsal

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:39:00 GMT

FIFA.com's latest monthly Futsal round-up reflects on another busy period of training seminars and tournaments, as well as the announcements of the hosts for the UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 and the UEFA Futsal Cup.

The five-point European review

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:57:00 GMT

Europe's top flights battled on amid the snow and freezing temperatures over the weekend, with a memorable Manchester United comeback among the highlights.

Anderlecht build advantage, Brugge fire five

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:48:00 GMT

Anderlecht are seven points clear at the Jupiler League summit after beating Genk 4-2, while Club Brugge thrashed Beerschot 5-1 to draw level with second-placed Gent.

Chelsea seal De Bruyne deal

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:10:00 GMT

Chelsea have completed the permanent signing of 20-year-old midfielder Kevin de Bruyne from Genk and will loan him straight back to the Belgian champions.

The five-point European review

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:48:00 GMT

While the FA Cup dominated in England, it was a good weekend for the leaders in Europe's other major leagues, with Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all chalking up victories.

Gerets: We can get better

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:11:00 GMT

Despite seeing his side crash out of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco coach Eric Gerets is confident that the team can improve in the future, a suggestion backed up by captain Houssine Kharja.

Club Brugge go second

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:58:00 GMT

Club Brugge pulled level on points with second-placed AA Gent with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Lokeren, while Kortrijk are in fourth place after their 2-0 win at OH Leuven.

Chelsea close to De Bruyne deal

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:51:00 GMT

Genk have confirmed that Chelsea are in talks over signing Kevin de Bruyne, 20, and expect a deal to be completed, with the youngster remaining on loan in Belgium for the remainder of the season.

Injury blow for Ajax's Alderweireld

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:13:00 GMT

Ajax centre-back Toby Alderweireld has been ruled out for between two and four weeks with a hamstring strain, adding to an injury list that already includes Andre Ooijer, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and Derk Boerrigter.

Anderlecht stretch lead, Gent held

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:03:00 GMT

A 1-0 win over Kortrijk, courtesy of Guillaume Gillet's penalty saw Anderlecht stretch their lead to six points after Gent were held to a 0-0 draw by Zulte-Waregem.

The five-point European review

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:56:00 GMT

In FIFA.com's weekly look at the club action across Europe, we reflect on derby joy for Inter Milan and key victories for title challengers Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris St Germain.

Anderlecht stretch advantage to four

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:14:00 GMT

Jupiler League leaders Anderlecht eased past third-placed Club Brugge 3-0 to increase their lead to four points, while draw specialists Zulte-Waregem were held to a 1-1 tie at home to Genk.

Camara signs for Valenciennes

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:30:00 GMT

Standard Liege's Senegalese defender Pape Abdou Camara has signed for Valenciennes until June 2015, the Ligue 1 club announced on Thursday.

City Kompany appeal turned down

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:51:00 GMT

Vincent Kompany will miss Manchester City's League Cup semi-final against Liverpool tomorrow, as well as the following three games, after the FA dismissed an appeal against his red card against Manchester United.

The Week in Quotes

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:26:00 GMT

Featuring Demba Ba on the surprise secret of his success, Hugo Gatti on why Lionel Messi would have only been a substitute in years gone by, and Bastian Schweinsteiger on comparisons between himself and Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Happy Birthday to you!

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 11:01:00 GMT

FIFA.com highlights some of the footballing figures who will celebrate their birthday this week, including Maxi Rodriguez, Diego Tristan and Eden Hazard.

Arsenal's Vermaelen out of Fulham clash

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:39:00 GMT

Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, who missed most of last season through injury, will sit out of Arsenal’s upcoming meeting with Fulham due to a calf strain.

Kompany relishing busy month at City

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:18:00 GMT

Vincent Kompany has expressed his enthusiasm at Manchester City's examining January schedule, discussed Roberto Mancini’s rotation policy and the Premier League title race.

Anderlecht stay clear of Gent

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:26:00 GMT

Anderlecht defeated Lorkeren 3-2 to keep Gent at bay and cement their status at the top of the Jupiler Pro League, while Gent edged 1-0 past Cercle Brugge.

Lierse stun high-flying Kortrijk

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:50:00 GMT

Lierse defeated KV Kortrijk 2-0 in the Jupiler Pro League, a welcome boost to their struggling campaign, while Westerlo climbed off the bottom of the table with a 3-1 win over Beerschot.

Manchester duo handed tricky tasks

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:32:00 GMT

The draw for the last 32 and the final 16 of the UEFA Europa League was made today, with Manchester City and Manchester United handed difficult ties against FC Porto and Ajax respectively.

Spurs suffer as group stage concludes

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:13:00 GMT

Birmingham City, Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out, while there was joy for qualified AZ Alkmaar, Club Brugge and Rubin Kazan, as the UEFA Europa League group stage concluded.

Draw sends Brugge, Braga through

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:14:00 GMT

Club Brugge and Braga shared the points in a 1-1 draw to close out their Group H campaign in the UEFA Europa League and ensure both have booked their place in the last 32.

Standard ease past poor Copenhagen

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:20:00 GMT

Standard Liege completed their group-stage campaign unbeaten and topped Group B in style after recording a comfortable 1-0 victory against FC Copenhagen, who ended in third place.

Brugge edge closer to leaders

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:51:00 GMT

Bjorn Vleminckx's goal was enough to give Club Brugge a 1-0 victory at home to St. Truidense and move his side up to second place, two points behind Anderlecht in the Jupiler League standings.

Trio progress on dramatic night

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:05:00 GMT

A breathtaking evening of UEFA Champions League action saw Chelsea, Marseille and Zenit St Petersburg advance to the Round of 16. FIFA.com recaps all the drama.

Leverkusen draw Genk, settle for second

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:28:00 GMT

Eren Derdiyok's late strike denied Genk their first win in UEFA Champions League Group E, but Bayer Leverkusen were forced to settle for qualifying for the last 16 as runners-up.

Barça youngsters ease past BATE

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:49:00 GMT

A new-look Barcelona line-up eased past BATE Borisov to secure a comfortable 4-0 victory with goals from Sergi Roberto, Martin Montoya and Pedro in Group H of the UEFA Champions League.

Seven spots still up for grabs

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:45:00 GMT

Sixteen clubs will enter the last round of UEFA Champions League group-stage action still dreaming of reaching the knockout phase, with seven places up for grabs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Anderlecht maintain lead despite draw

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:53:00 GMT

Anderlecht are three-points clear at the top of the Jupiler Pro League despite a 0-0 draw with OH Leuven, while nearest chasers Gent also played out a goalless draw with Standard Liege.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:15:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to a star-studded week of footballing birthdays, including Belgian legend Jean-Marie Pfaff, the Altintop brothers, England captain John Terry and FIFA World Cup™-winner Bixente Lizarazu.

Club Brugge close on leaders

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:41:00 GMT

Club Brugge moved within a point of second-place Gent with a 1-0 victory over Westerlo, while KV Kortrijk defeated Cercle Brugge 2-1, and Mons were 3-2 winners over St Truidense in the Jupiler Pro League.

Twente triumph, Schalke seal top spot

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:49:00 GMT

FC Twente beat Fulham 1-0 to leave the Premier League side with work to do in Group K, Schalke sealed first place in Group J, while Lokomotiv Moscow booked their place in the knockout stages.

Defeat disappoints Slomka despite progress

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:57:00 GMT

Mirko Slomka found it difficult to look past his Hannover side's 2-0 defeat to Standard Liege in the UEFA Europa League, even though they qualified for the knockout stages thanks to results going their way.

Six more taste Europa joy

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:29:00 GMT

Portugal’s Sporting Braga, Spain’s Atletico Madrid, Ukraine’s Metalist Kharkiv, Greece’s PAOK, Belgium’s Standard Liege and Germany’s Hannover are the latest clubs to secure UEFA Europa League Round of 32 qualification.

Ten corkers, one crown

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:36:00 GMT

From bicycle-kicks to vicious piledrivers to efforts indebted to exquisite dribbles, FIFA.com recalls the ten goals that have been nominated for this year’s FIFA Puskas Award.

The five-point European review

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:02:00 GMT

There was drama throughout Europe over the weekend, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Lazio and Paris St Germain all slumping to defeats and the likes of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund taking full advantage.

Historic Cypriots lead qualified trio

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:50:00 GMT

An intriguing night of UEFA Champions League action saw Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen and APOEL Nicosia book their places in the last 16, while Porto and Valencia kept themselves in contention.

Soldado on song as Valencia rout Genk

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:08:00 GMT

Roberto Soldado grabbed three first-half goals to help Valencia thrash Genk 7-0 in a crucial result that kept alive the Spaniards' hopes of qualification for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Seydoux suggests Cole could stay

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:40:00 GMT

Lille president Michel Seydoux has discussed the possibility of on-loan midfielder Joe Cole remaining at the club, and admitted that in-demand Eden Hazard could leave at the end of the season.

Last 16 places ready to be claimed

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:57:00 GMT

Manchester City head to Naples, while Manchester United host Benfica as a handful of sides vie for passage to the Round of 16 on Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League.

Fellaini commits future to Everton

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:12:00 GMT

Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini has pledged his future to Premier League side Everton, signing a new five-year contract which will see the 23-year-old remain at Goodison Park until 2016.

FIFA presents planned reforms at EU Conference on Sports Agents

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:17:00 GMT

On 9 and 10 November, FIFA representatives attended a two-day conference on sports agents in Brussels organised by the European Commission.

Dull draw for French, Belgium

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:28:00 GMT

France extended their unbeaten streak to 17 matches, but there was little for either side to cheer in a dreary friendly stalemate against neighbours Belgium.

Blatter meets Belgian FA chief in Brussels

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:57:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke met with URBSFA President Francois de Keersmaecker and the association’s new General Secretary Steven Martens in Brussels on Monday.

Dembele talks progress, Spurs interest

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:36:00 GMT

Fulham forward Mousa Dembele has discussed his improvement under Martin Jol and revealed he was flattered by speculation of link with Tottenham Hotspur.

Mixed fortunes for EURO hosts

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:58:00 GMT

Ukraine’s high-scoring draw with Germany proved the pick of Friday’s friendlies across Europe, while fellow UEFA EURO 2012 hosts Poland lost at home to Italy.

Daum takes reigns at Club Brugge

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:44:00 GMT

Club Brugge have appointed Christoph Daum as their new coach following the dismissal of Adrie Koster, signing a contract that will run until 2013.

Gonalons called up by France to replace Nasri

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:28:00 GMT

Maxime Gonalons was given his first call-up to the France national side after Samir Nasri was forced to pull out with a knee injury for the games with the USA and Belgium.

Genk snatch point, Lierse surprise

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:23:00 GMT

Genk clinched a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw with KV Kortrijk, while Lierse defeated Leuven 3-1 and Lokeren cruised to a comfortable 4-2 win over Westerlo in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.