FIFA.com - News

Amkar Perm sign Jakubko

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:19:00 GMT

Slovakian forward Martin Jakubko has signed for Russian Premier League side Amkar Perm on an 18-month deal from Ducla.

International ground-breaker, Barça king

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:16:00 GMT

FIFA.com recalls the brilliant and bizarre career of Ladislao Kubala, the only man to ever represent three countries who was named the greatest player in the history of Barcelona.

Slovakia name Hipp as interim coach

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:43:00 GMT

Michal Hipp has been promoted from assistant manager to take temporary charge of the Slovakia national team after Vladimir Weiss stepped down, the Slovakian FA (SFZ) announced.

Former Czechoslovakia midfielder Kuna dies

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:12:00 GMT

Ladislav Kuna, a former midfielder who represented Czechoslovakia at Mexico 1970, has passed away at the age of 64.

Den Haag loan Lalkovic from Chelsea

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:19:00 GMT

Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag have signed Chelsea reserve forward and Slovakia U-21 international Milan Lalkovic on loan until the end of the season.

Weiss leaves role with Slovakia

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:43:00 GMT

The Slovakia Football Association have confirmed that national team coach Vladimir Weiss is leaving the job.

Hamsik close to Napoli extension

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:16:00 GMT

Marek Hamsik has played down speculation linking him with a move away from Napoli by revealing he is close to sign a contract extension with the Italian club.

Gone but never forgotten

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:43:00 GMT

Once again the football family lost some great figures during the past 12 months. FIFA.com pays tribute to those who passed away in 2011, including Florian Albert, Socrates and Gary Speed.

The special ones

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:49:00 GMT

Keepers have long had a reputation for being 'different' from their outfield team-mates but, even at international level, they have not always received the dedicated training support that their position requires – something FIFA is now looking to change.

Reds claim easy victory at Villa

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:15:00 GMT

Craig Bellamy scored the first and created the second for Martin Skrtel as Liverpool recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory - their fifth away from home in the Premier League - over Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Skrtel: Reds defence is doing well

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:28:00 GMT

Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel has discussed his side's impressive defensive record so far this season, his partnership with Daniel Agger, and the importance of forward Luis Suarez.

Wisla profit as PSG, Fulham exit

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:51:00 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain and Fulham have both suffered surprisingly early exits from the UEFA Europa League, while the likes of Lazio, Twente, Wisla Krakow and Stoke City are through to the last 32.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:23:00 GMT

As with every Sunday at FIFA.com, it is time to look forward to the week's birthday celebrations in the world of football, including Saudi legend Sami Al Jaber, Danish defender Daniel Agger and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Stoke saved late, Sporting progress

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:04:00 GMT

Stoke City are into the UEFA Europa League knockout stages after drawing with Dynamo Kyiv, Sporting ensured qualification as group winners, but a surprise defeat has left Paris Saint-Germain in trouble.

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.

Five teams through as Spurs stutter

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:10:00 GMT

PSV Eindhoven, Twente, Anderlecht, Legia Warsaw, and Athletic Bilbao have all ensured their passage in to the last 32 in the UEFA Europa League, while Tottenham Hotspur will have to wait after a loss to Rubin Kazan.

Macedonia, Slovakia share the spoils

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:09:00 GMT

Macedonia and Slovakia played out a lacklustre 1-1 draw to bring an end to their respective UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaigns in Group B, with Juraj Piroska and Nikolce Noveski the two men on target.

Greece, Belgium push for qualification

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Greece moved into pole position in UEFA EURO 2012 qualification Group F after beating fellow contenders Croatia 2-0, while Belgium beat Kazakhstan 4-1 to move into second in Group A at Turkey's expense.

Russia move within a point of EURO place

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:41:00 GMT

Russia virtually assured their passage to UEFA EURO 2012 with a 1-0 win in their penultimate qualifier against Slovakia on Friday.

Russia target finals berth

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:17:00 GMT

Group B in the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers remains tight as Russia lead the charge for automatic qualification, but the Republic of Ireland, Slovakia and Armenia are all in hot pursuit.

All to play for in EURO deciders

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:47:00 GMT

With ten places still up for grabs at the UEFA EURO 2012 finals, the final two rounds of qualifying action present several key matches, specifically for England and France, who are each on the verge of clinching qualification.

Lazio, Celtic struggle as Europa begins

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Italian giants Lazio were fortunate to escape with a draw against Romanian side Vaslui in their opening UEFA Europa League clash while Celtic were beaten and Sporting Lisbon, PSV and Besiktas picked up wins.

Blatter pays tribute to Russia air crash victims

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:42:00 GMT

Speaking at a press conference during his visit to Slovakia, the FIFA President paid homage to the victims of the recent air crash in Russia.

Trap refuses to give up

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:33:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni is still hopeful of reaching UEFA EURO 2012 despite his side's 0-0 draw with Slovakia, who have given their own qualification chances a boost.

City duo head to Spain

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:12:00 GMT

Roque Santa Cruz and Vladimir Weiss have joined Real Betis and Espanyol respectively, while Micah Richards has discussed committing his future to Manchester City.

Weiss to join Espanyol on loan

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:01:00 GMT

Espanyol have announced that a deal is in place for the La Liga club to take Manchester City and Slovakia winger Vladimir Weiss on loan for the season.

Atletico dealt Norwegian Europa trip

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:11:00 GMT

Atletico Madrid will face Norwegian side Stromsgodset, who last appeared in the UEFA Cup 13 years ago, while Stoke City have been been paired against Hadjuk Split in the UEFA Europa League.

Benfica to face Trabz after UEFA draw

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:33:00 GMT

The draw for the UEFA Champions League has taken place, with a number of exciting ties being thrown up, including Benfica taking on Trabzonspor and Rubin Kazan facing national neighbours Dynamo Kiev.

Napoli hold firm on Hamsik

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:32:00 GMT

Marek Hamsik won't be leaving Napoli this summer unless they receive an offer they can't refuse, according to president Aurelio De Laurentiis, inviting suitors to bring their offers to his "very expensive table".

Fall rules Nemec out for three months

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:23:00 GMT

Adam Nemec will be out of action for three months after the Kaiserslautern striker fractured two vertebrae and broke his collarbone when he fell from a tree at his home.

Hamsik happy to stay with Napoli

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:54:00 GMT

Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has reiterated his desire to stay at the club, although admitted he was happy to be linked with AC Milan and praised by coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Key victories see groups tighten

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 22:58:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews Saturday's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying matches, which featured a poor result for England, victory and a landmark for Republic of Ireland, and results which have tightened the top of many groups.

Slovakia sneak past Andorra

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 21:40:00 GMT

Slovakia remain in contention at the top of Group B after Miroslav Karhan's goal gave them a 1-0 win at home to Andorra, whose goalkeeper Josep Anton Gomez frustrated the hosts throughout.

Bilyaletdinov eyeing home victory

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:07:00 GMT

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov feels Russia need to collect all three points against Armenia as they look to pull clear of Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland in the battle for UEFA EURO 2012 qualification from Group B.

Milan not pursuing Hamsik, Pastore

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:29:00 GMT

AC Milan are not attempting to sign Palermo's Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore, or Slovakia star Marek Hamsik from Napoli, according to the club's vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Pre-holiday push for EURO stars

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:59:00 GMT

The summer holidays are just around the corner in Europe, but some big stars still have crucial international assignments in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying before they can think about unwinding.

Pogrebnyak: Consistency is key

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:04:00 GMT

Prior to Russia’s home meeting with Armenia, striker Pavel Pogrebnyak spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about coaches, opponents, past problems and his desire to play his part at a major tournament.

Milan rule out Fabregas, keen on Hamsik

Thu, 26 May 2011 14:04:00 GMT

AC Milan are on the market for a left-sided midfielder according to Adriano Galliani, who has said Cesc Febregas is too expensive and expressed an interest in Marek Hamsik.

Napoli target Sanchez, Lamela

Wed, 25 May 2011 10:10:00 GMT

Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed Napoli want to make four signings during the close season, ruled out the possibility of signing Gokhan Inler, and targeted Alexis Sanchez and Erik Lamela.

Bigon: Hamsik happy at Napoli

Tue, 24 May 2011 12:36:00 GMT

Despite being rumoured to be high on AC Milan's list of transfer targets, Marek Hamsik is said to be happy at Napoli, according to their sporting director Ricardo Bigon, and expects the Slovakian remain on the coast.

Joy for Lille amid relegation despair

Sun, 22 May 2011 23:31:00 GMT

Lille ended their 57-year wait for a Ligue 1 title and Cristiano Ronaldo set a new scoring record, while relegation issues dominated in England.

Slovan crowned in penultimate round

Sat, 21 May 2011 20:03:00 GMT

A 3-1 victory over MFK Dubnica today was enough for Slovan Bratislava to seize their sixth Slovak Superliga title since the country gained independence in 1994.

Dalglish praises ever-present Skrtel

Sat, 21 May 2011 09:17:00 GMT

Martin Skrtel looks set to complete an ever-present Premier League season for Liverpool tomorrow, with manager Kenny Dalglish praising the defender for his "fantastic" campaign.

Who’ve been the stars of 2010/11?

Wed, 18 May 2011 10:09:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know which players have impressed you the most during the 2010/11 season across Europe.

Eastern delight for old giants and new kings

Fri, 13 May 2011 07:32:00 GMT

From Dinamo Zagreb to Videoton, FIFA.com casts an eye over the teams who have either won or are leading the various title races across eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Hamsik sends Napoli nearer to Europe

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 22:20:00 GMT

A late goal from Marek Hamsik earned Napoli a hard-fought 1-0 win over Genoa and moved Walter Mazzarri's side even closer to qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Czech legend Ladislav Novak dies aged 79

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:41:00 GMT

Former Czechoslovakia captain Ladislav Novak, who led his side to a FIFA World Cup™ final against Brazil in 1962, has died at the age of 79.

Napoli comeback over Parma

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 22:06:00 GMT

Napoli came back from an first-half one goal deficit to defeat ten-man Parma 3-1, which puts the club back in the Scudetto race at third-place, just one point adrift of second-place Inter Milan.

Messi to the fore on mixed night for elite

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:47:00 GMT

There were varied results for the big guns on a massive night of internationals highlighted by Lionel Messi's late winner against Portugal, Brazil falling to defeat in France, while Germany’s winless streak against Italy continued.

Karembeu: A passion for women’s football

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 08:03:00 GMT

FIFA.com talks to women’s football ambassador Adriana Karembeu about the landmark 2010 FIFA World Cup, women’s football in general and France’s ambitions for Germany 2011.