Israeli football authorities have deducted one league point from Beitar Jerusalem and ordered the club to play a home match behind closed doors after their fans shouted anti-Arab slogans, a report said on Friday.

Serie A´s 20 clubs on Thursday voted to break away from their Serie B counterparts and form a new competition along the lines of the English Premier League.

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has hit out at claims Chelsea used "dirty tricks" to secure last week´s goalless draw with Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has said he wants to feel the pressure during Saturday´s ´El Clasico´ against arch-rivals Real Madrid which will be crucial for deciding the league title.

Arsenal announced on Friday that American businessman Stan Kroenke had increased his stake in the club from 20 percent to 28.3 percent after purchasing 5,000 shares from director Richard Carr´s family.

The stakes could not be higher as double champions Real Madrid host leaders Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in a duel that could determine the fate of this season?s Spanish championship.

Just one point separates Celtic and Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League as they head into their first games following the league split.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has dismissed the significance of the club´s clash against Lazio this weekend, just short of seven years to the day since the Romans denied the nerazzurri the Serie A title.

Manchester United descend on relegation-threatened Middlesbrough this weekend knowing another three points will leave them on the brink of a third consecutive Premier League title.