Nagoya Grampus became the fourth Japanese team to make the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday, while Newcastle Jets kept Australian hopes alive.

Hamburg coach Martin Jol admits he is tempted to make sure his side practice penalties ahead of Thursday night´s UEFA Cup semi-final, second leg at home as they hold a slim 1-0 lead over Werder Bremen.

Arsenal´s Danish international striker Nicklas Bendtner had to issue an embarrassing apology on Wednesday over been caught leaving a nightclub just hours after his side had been outclassed 3-1 by Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

A Spanish judge placed under judicial investigation on Wednesday 14 people, including former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, over a December general assembly that was marred by irregularities.

Manchester City coach Mark Hughes says he has no fears about facing his former side Manchester United on Sunday, despite having seen them crush Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.

FC Barcelona secured their spot in the final of this year's UEFA Champions League. The Spaniards drew 1-1 thanks to a 92nd-minute equaliser from Andres Iniesta and advance on away goals.

Guus Hiddink admitted he could understand why his players had cried ´conspiracy´ after a string of controversial refereeing decisions denied Chelsea a place in the Champions League final.

Didier Drogba could be facing a lengthy ban from European football after angrily confronting Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of Chelsea´s controversial Champions League semi-final second leg match with Barcelona here on Wednesday.

UEFA on Wednesday ruled out a reprieve for Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher over the red card that means he will be suspended for the Champions League final.

Brazil playmaker Diego has signed for Juventus from Werder Bremen, according to a report by Italian news agency Ansa on Thursday.

UEFA General Secretary David Taylor has slammed the conspiracy theorists who believe Chelsea´s controversial exit from the Champions League reflected the governing body´s desire to avoid another all-English final.

Nagoya Grampus became the fourth Japanese team to make the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday, while Newcastle Jets kept Australian hopes alive.

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola is anticipating a classic Champions League final when his side take on Manchester United in Rome later this month.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reinstated the voting rights of five countries who could prove pivotal to the fate of under-fire president Mohamed bin Hammam.

FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-Joon launched an extraordinary attack on AFC chief Mohamed bin Hammam Thursday, saying he had mental problems and needed hospital treatment.

Chelsea captain John Terry and manager Guus Hiddink have rallied behind Didier Drogba as the Ivory Coast striker faces potentially severe punishment by UEFA over his furious confrontation with the referee after the club´s Champions League exit.

South Africa dumped star striker Benni McCarthy from the FIFA Confederations Cup squad Thursday when a provisional 30-man list was released.

Former Cyprus champions Anorthosis Famagusta have appointed German Ernst Middendorp as their new manager after failing to see eye-to-eye with fellow German Ewald Lienen.

Celtic captain Stephen McManus has been ruled out of Saturday´s potential title-decider against arch rivals Rangers because of a knee injury.