It took a defiant gesture to reignite the debate on one of Italian sport's biggest demons, but the fight to rid football of racism in Serie A could be just beginning.

Russian Premier League leaders CSKA Moscow's Nigerian forward Ahmed Musa says he hopes this season will turn out to be his best.

Salomon Kalou, Arouna Kona, Gervinho and Lacina Traore were on target at the weekend as Ivory Coast stars made their mark across Europe.

Star striker Didier Drogba has been left out of the Ivory Coast squad for the March 23 World Cup qualifier against Gambia in Abidjan.

South Africa dropped captain Bongani Khumalo Thursday for a 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic in Cape Town this month.

Nigerian Innocent Emeghara scored one goal and created the other as Siena won 2-1 at Palermo in a weekend Serie A relegation clash.

Global peace icon and former statesman Nelson Mandela was hospitalised Saturday for a "scheduled medical check-up", the South African presidency said, months after he underwent treatment for lung infection and gallstones.

Injured Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike has been left out of Nigeria's squad for the World Cup qualifier against Kenya on March 23.

Football's world governing body has threatened to suspend the Democratic Republic of Congo from competition because of an alleged contravention of its rules on political interference.

Russian Premier League clubs have stopped throwing their money around the international transfer market after last year's impressive spree, showing greater restraint during the winter transfer window.

Reigning African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure and fellow Ivorian Arouna Kone were among the English Premier League scorers at the weekend.

Former Fulham, West Ham and Leicester City defender John Paintsil was released on bail Saturday after his arrest over allegations that he stabbed his wife, Ghana's police told AFP.

Former Fulham, West Ham and Leicester City defender John Paintsil was being held by police in Ghana on Friday after his wife was stabbed.

Former Fulham, West Ham and Leicester City defender John Paintsil was being held by police in Ghana on Friday after his wife was stabbed.

Burkina Faso international Charles Kabore is leaving French top flight side Marseille for Russia's Kuban Krasnodar, Marseille indicated Wednesday, saying agreement had been reached on a deal for the midfielder.

Kenya on Wednesday appointed former Algerian international Adel Amrouche as their national football coach to take over from Frenchman Henri Michel whose contract was terminated in December.

Kenya on Wednesday appointed former Algerian international Adel Amrouche as their national football coach to take over from Frenchman Henri Michel whose contract was terminated in December.

African Footballer of the Year and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure was among the scorers in English FA Cup last-16 ties at the weekend.

Ivory Coast striker Didier Ya Konan hit his first Bundesliga goal since September as Hanover 96 were held to a 2-2 draw at Nuremberg on Sunday.

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic admits his side have only themselves to blame for their spluttering form as they bid to avoid an FA Cup embarrassment in Sunday's fourth round replay against Brentford.