Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte successfully defended their second place in the Brazilian Serie A with a 2-1 victory at Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro.

Arsene Wenger believes Emmanuel Adebayor will be more dangerous than ever after the Arsenal striker demonstrated his commitment to the Gunners with a match-winning performance against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid´s quest to sign Manchester United star striker Cristiano Ronaldo could gain impetus because of Wesley Sneijder´s injury, Madrid defender Michel Salgado said.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter appealed Monday for under-23 players to be automatically available for the Olympic Games as legal wrangling continued to threaten the Brazil and Argentina squads.

Real Madrid confirmed Monday they have signed Dutch international midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg.

England striker Michael Owen could return to action in Newcastle´s friendly against Valencia on Saturday after getting the green light to begin training after a calf injury.

Blackburn boss Paul Ince returned to his former club to sign Manchester United defender Danny Simpson on a season-long loan on Monday.

Portsmouth signed teenage Gambian striker Omar Koroma from Banjul Hawks on Monday.

Real Madrid's Wesley Sneijder might not be as seriously injured as fear initially. This is the outcome of tests performed on Monday.

Everton manager David Moyes fears the club´s lack of progress in the transfer market will damage his plans for the new season.

Real Madrid said Monday that Dutch international Wesley Sneijder would be out of action for three months but did not have to undergo surgery after injuring his knee during a match in London.

Indian mobile network Reliance Communications on Monday denied reports they are in talks to buy Premier League club Newcastle.

Dutch international midfielder Rafael van der Vaart confirmed Monday he has sealed a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Liverpool winger Sebastian Leto will be forced to leave Anfield on loan after the Argentine winger was refused a work permit, team manager Rafael Benitez said Monday.

MANCHESTER (SW) – After having shown good promising form on their pre season tour of South Africa and since, Frazier Campbell has said that he has no desire to leave Old Trafford.

Lithuania coach Algimantas Liubinskas has quit his job to concentrate on campaigning for a seat in parliament, the Baltic state´s football federation announced on Monday.

LONDON (SW) – Arsene Wenger has shown renewed interest in Sporting Lisbon’s midfielder Miguel Veloso.

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will no longer be available for the Dutch national team. This was announced by the Dutch FA on Monday.

Didier Drogba will miss the start of Chelsea´s season, manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said Monday.

Czech goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka has been loaned by Ukrainian first division side Shakhtar Donetsk to West Ham for a season, the CTK news agency reported on Monday.