Marseille striker Djibril Cisse, who sealed a loan move to Sunderland on Wednesday, said he was looking forward to a new challenge in the English Premier League.

Aston Villa manager Martin O´Neill believes Gareth Barry could still leave the Premier League club despite Liverpool´s refusal to meet the midfielder´s valuation.

Two-time world champions Uruguay powered their way to a 3-1 victory over Japan on Wednesday in a tune-up match for the World Cup qualifier next month.

Radomir Antic has been named coach of the Serbian national team, where he succeeds the recently fired Miroslav Djukic.

Newcastle´s controversial player Joey Barton is the target of legal action by a second victim of his violence, lawyers revealed Wednesday.

LONDON (SW) - Mikael Silvestre, Manchester United’s defender has been involved in talks with Sunderland and neighbours Manchester City.

Besieged coach Carlos Dunga sees a continuing role for Ronaldinho in Brazil´s 2010 World Cup campaign despite the five-time World Cup champions´ inglorious failure at the Beijing Olympics.

The European World Cup qualification campaign has begun. In the very first match, Kazakhstan beat Andorra 3-0 to take a temporary lead in Group 6.

Serbia´s Football Federation on Wednesday appointed Radomir Antic as its new coach in the hope the former Real Madrid chief can lead the "White Eagles" to World Cup 2010.

LONDON (SW) – It’s official. Mikaël Silvestre has joined Arsenal from Manchester United.

MINSK (SW) - Belarus, preparing for the start of Europe's 2010 World Cup qualifiers next month, held a strong Argentina side to a 0-0 draw in a friendly on Wednesday.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who is struggling to shake off a knee injury, will be out until October, according to Ivory Coast boss Vahid Halilhodzic on Wednesday.

OSLO (SW) - Norway drew 1-1 with Ireland in a friendly thanks to a second half strike by defender Tore Reginiussen on Wednesday.

Two-time world champions Argentina and the former Soviet republic Belarus recorded a 0-0 draw in the first ever meeting between the two countries here on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Richard Kingson turned goal scorer to salvage a late 1-1 draw for Ghana against Tanzania Wednesday in a friendly international.

Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Konstantin Zyryanov saved the day for Russia in a 1-1 draw against Holland here on Wednesday in a warm-up match for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Ukraine beat Poland 1-0 in an international friendly on Wednesday, as both sides prepare for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Manchester United´s French defender Mikael Silvestre has signed for Arsenal on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee, British media reported on Wednesday.

Fabio Capello insists England are ready for next month´s World Cup qualifiers despite his side´s lacklustre display in a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic.

Euro-2008 semi-finalists Turkey beat Chile 1-0 in a hard-fought match that will raise their spirits before they start their campaign next month for a berth in the 2010 World Cup.