Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been fined 18,000 euros ($23,335, £15,580) and banned from driving for eight months after being caught speeding, a Spanish court confirmed on Friday.

Real Madrid assistant manager Aitor Karanka on Friday said he hoped that the upcoming international break will not disrupt their rhythm heading into the final stage of the season.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque on Friday left Carles Puyol and Fernando Torres out of his 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Finland and France later this month.

England manager Roy Hodgson says he has no fears about asking Rio Ferdinand to play alongside Ashley Cole for the national team, despite concerns about their relationship.

Marcel Hirscher of Austria won the overall World Cup title for a second straight year on Thursday when chief rival Aksel Lund Svindal withdrew from the slalom race.

South African born flanker Antonie Claassen was named on Thursday to get his first start for France in their final Six Nations match against Scotland at the Stade de France on Saturday.

France coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday recalled injury hit striker Loic Remy in his 24-player squad to face crucial 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain on March 22 and 26 respectively in Paris.

Marcel Hirscher of Austria won the overall World Cup title for a second straight year on Thursday when chief rival Aksel Lund Svindal withdrew from the slalom race.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was on Thursday recalled to the England squad for the World Cup qualifying games against San Marino and Montenegro.

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona says the fabled "hand of God" was at work once more in delivering the papacy to his country.

France coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday recalled injury hit striker Loic Remy in his 24-player squad to face crucial 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain on March 22 and 26 respectively in Paris.

Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger was on Thursday recalled to the national squad for the double headers against minnows Kazakhstan in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

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

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised the proposed format set to be used at Euro 2020 and says the scattering of the tournament over 13 countries will not make it a true European championship, the 77-year-old Swiss told German magazine Kicker on Thursday.

Britain's press on Thursday set aside its bitterness towards Argentina over the Falkland Islands to welcome in Pope Francis, the Catholic Church's first head from the New World.

Britain's press on Thursday set aside its bitterness towards Argentina over the Falkland Islands to welcome in Pope Francis, the Catholic Church's first head from the New World.

Injured duo Keisuke Honda and Yuto Nagatomo will miss Japan's World Cup qualifier against Jordan but coach Alberto Zaccheroni said his squad have the strength in depth to replace them.

Britain's press on Thursday set aside its bitterness towards Argentina over the Falkland Islands to welcome in Pope Francis, the Catholic Church's first head from the New World.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi hailed his side's return to form after they produced a remarkable comeback to beat AC Milan and progress to the Champions League quarter-finals for the sixth consecutive season.

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen was on Wednesday named in the Wales squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Croatia, despite requiring surgery on a shoulder injury.