Argentina and Brazil remained on course for a semi-final showdown in the men´s Olympic football competition as the final eight sorted themselves out in the last round of Group matches Wednesday.

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton on Wednesday admitted to a Football Association (FA) charge of violent conduct relating to an incident involving his former team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

MANCHESTER (SW) – Manchester City have been very much in the news recently, unfortunately mostly for the wrong reasons. To make matters even worse, amidst the current strife, Mark Hughes’ bid for his ex Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz has been turned down by his former club.

LONDON (SW) – It is official.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard ended speculation about his future by signing a new five-year contract with the Premier League club on Wednesday.

Inter Milan striker Adriano could miss the start of the season after suffering a right calf strain in training, the Serie A champions said on Wednesday.

Manchester City striker Darius Vassell will be out of action for two and a half months after injuring his knee, manager Mark Hughes said on Wednesday.

South Africa´s 2010 World Cup preparations have been hit by overruns in stadium construction costs, but all venues are on track to be completed on time, a government official said Wednesday.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon believes his club could still sign Robinho even though Real Madrid insist the Brazilian is not for sale.

Dimitar Berbatov´s long-anticipated move from Tottenham to Manchester United could be completed in time for the Bulgarian striker to make his debut for the English champions on Saturday.

Tottenham defender Gareth Bale signed a new contract on Wednesday that will keep the Wales international at White Hart Lane until 2012.

A brace from Thiago Neves helped Brazil beat China 3-0 Wednesday to end any hope the host nation had of making the Olympic quarter-finals.

A hamstring injury to Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has meant he will miss Wednesday night´s Champions League clash at Steve McClaren´s FC Twente side in the Netherlands.

LONDON (SW) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he cannot see his former striker Thierry Henry joining Manchester United from FC Barcelona.

Arsenal ruined Steve McClaren´s FC Twente debut as goals from William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor secured an unconvincing 2-0 win in the Champions League third qualifying round, first leg on Wednesday.

Valencia´s star striker David Silva, a target of several top European clubs, is to remain at the Spanish side, vice-president Fernando Gomez said Wednesday.

It was disappointment for the Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane duo here Wednesday as Liverpool stuttered to a goalless draw against Standard Liege in the final Champions League qualifying match.

Juventus made a confident return to European action here on Wednesday, thrashing Slovak champions Artmedia Bratislava 4-0 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Barcelona, who have gone two seasons without a trophy, began their planned comeback in style by disposing of Wisla Krakow 4-0 Wednesday in their Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal´s gritty Champions League victory over Steve McClaren´s FC Twente proved his young guns are ready to take centre-stage.