Benfica set to sign Serbian winger

A 2010 World Cup qualifier between Georgia and the Republic of Ireland will take place at a neutral venue due to the unrest in the former Soviet state, world football governing body FIFA said Tuesday.

The match had been scheduled to take place in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on September 6.

FIFA reached this decision after closely monitoring the situation in Georgia and taking note that UEFA also decided to ask Georgian clubs involved in UEFA competitions to play their matches in neutral countries.

The Georgian Football Federation has until 26 August 2008 to nominate a neutral venue to host the qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland which will take place on the scheduled date of 6 September 2008, FIFA added.

The Georgian Football Federation…

After three years of frustration, the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan has made Manchester United instant contenders to win the Premier League.

United s post-Alex Ferguson era has largely been a story of lacklustre results despite big spending, although there are indications that could be set to change in 2016-17 under Jose Mourinho.

The appointment of a proven winner to replace Louis van Gaal as manager was the first sign a United revival was in the works. Now, two top talents have been brought in to significantly improve the tools at his disposal.

With Ibrahimovic a free transfer following the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract and Mkhitaryan costing a fee reported to be £26.3million from Borussia Dortmund, United have added two pla…

Borussia Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc has confirmed the club s interest in Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, .

Dzeko, 27, joined Manchester City for £27 million from Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg in January 2011.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international has netted 28 goals in 70 Premier League matches, 36 starts, since arriving at the Etihad Stadium.

The likes of Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli (now at AC Milan) and Carlos Tevez have all kept Dzeko out of Roberto Mancini s starting XI for much of his time in Manchester.

As suggested by Mancini, Dzeko s lack of starts could spur on a summer move, with Dortmund viewed as the favourites for his signature.

Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc has conceded that the two-time Bu…

Everton manager David Moyes is relishing the midfield battle between Italy and Spain in Sunday s Euro 2012 final.

Andrea Pirlo has been widely tipped to claim the player of the tournament prize following a string of dominant displays for italy and Moyes believes he has been key to his national team s revival.

The 49-year-old boss also highlighted the talents of Spain midfielder Xavi as central to one of the best teams in history, with the 32-year-old again instrumental for his country in Poland and Ukraine.

Pirlo, at 33, is an example of Italy s tradition for getting great performances from older players, Moyes wrote in his column for The Times.

You think of Paolo Maldini, Dino Zoff and Fabio Cannavaro, and how they kept going. Pirlo will be Italy s ke…

Defending champions Portugal have been eliminated from the Euros. Having barely navigated their way through an extremely difficult group, their journey ended on Sunday with Belgium getting the better of them in the round of 16. The only goal of the game came from a tricky shot executed nicely by Borussia Dortmund winger Thorgan Hazard.

Just the one goal, but it was enough

Looking ahead at this match, it seemed likely that if the deadlock is broken early enough, the remaining part would be extremely interesting with both sides boasting notable attacking quality. However, the one goal, though scored in the 42nd minute, was all in terms of hitting the back of the net. You wouldn t have expected a team led by a five-time Ballon d Or winner, a joint-record holder in the number of i…

Jordi Alba felt Barcelona produced their best performance of 2020 in their 2-1 LaLiga victory over Real Sociedad.

The Catalans fell behind to a Willian Jose goal at Camp Nou on Tuesday after dominating the opening 25 minutes without managing a shot on target.

However, they responded well, Alba blasting home a fine equaliser before setting up Frenkie de Jong to make it 2-1 before half-time.

La Real improved after the break, restricting Barca to just 38.6 per cent possession after the hosts had enjoyed two-thirds of the ball in the first half, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen s only save of note came late on when he blocked an effort from Alexander Isak.

Barca, who have beaten Sociedad 23 times in a row in home league games, are now six points off the top of the t…

Maintaining an unbeaten start as Costa Rica coach is not a priority for Paulo Wanchope ahead of Tuesday s friendly with Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez.

Former international striker Wanchope oversaw a six-game unbeaten spell following the World Cup having been placed in interim charge following the departure of Jorge Luis Pinto.

Wanchope then marked his first game in permanent charge with a goalless draw against Paraguay in San Jose on Friday and will continue his preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Panama City.

Costa Rica are well placed to begin their bid for a first Gold Cup success but Wanchope who could be without striker Marco Urena (Achilles) urged the need for continued improvement.

I would want us to score three or four goals …

Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed Mauricio Isla is close to completing a move to Premier League club QPR.

The Chile international has been with the Italian champions for the last two seasons having moved from Serie A rivals Udinese in June 2012.

However, the versatile full-back has struggled to feature regularly at the Juventus Stadium, and caught the eye of potential suitors with his performances at the World Cup in Brazil.

With QPR eager to further strengthen ahead of their return to the top flight, Marotta confirmed a deal had been agreed between the two clubs.

Tomorrow, Isla will have his medical in England, as a deal has been reached with QPR, the Juve director confirmed on Saturday.

In June, the 26-year-old spoke o…

Danish footballer Thomas Gravesen has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32.

I have spent some extraordinary years abroad, I have played and lived in four countries, said the midfielder. But I m 33 in March, so before age and health force my hand I have opted to take the decision to stop myself.

During his career, which lasted 13 years, Gravesen played for Vejle Boldklub, Hamburger SV, Everton, Real Madrid and Celtic before returning to Everton in 2008.

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Mark Clattenburg successfully appealed on Wednesday against his dismissal as one of England s elite referees.

However, he has still been banned for eight months.

The 33-year-old was axed following a disciplinary inquiry held by the Professional Game Match Officials limited the body in charge of top-flight referees last month for issues relating to his private business affairs .

But the Premier League said that, following an appeal by Clattenburg, a panel ruled he should be handed a less severe punishment.

He has therefore been banned for eight months from August 6, 2008 the date of his original suspension.

A PGMO statement said: Mark Clattenburg has been reminded of his responsibilities and contractual obligations as a select group official, part…