Napoli close gap on Juve as Torino hold Inter
Juventus had spurned the chance to secure an eight-point lead on Saturday when they were denied a last-gasp penalty in a 1-1 draw at home to Genoa. Juve coach Antonio Conte later called for referee Marco Guida’s resignation after he refused to point to the spot when the ball came off the forearm of Genoa [...]
Juve calls for sacking referee
ROME, Ital;y ● Juventus coach Antonio Conte called for a league referee to be sacked on Saturday after the Serie A champions were denied a last-gasp penalty in a 1-1 draw with Genoa. Conte’s return to the Juve bench in December, following a four-month ban due to his alleged role in a match-fixing affair, has [...]
Belgium to use additional linesmen
BRUXELLES, Belgium ● Belgium is to start using additional linesmen on the goal line in the second half of this season in a boost for UEFA which pioneered the system and favours it over goal line technology. The additional linesmen will be used during the six-team playoff which decides the Belgian league title and from [...]
Chelsea’s Mikel suspended over Clattenburg incident
LONDON, England ● Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been given a three-match ban and a 60,000 pounds ($96,500) fine after admitting a charge of using threatening or abusive language towards referee Mark Clattenburg after a home defeat by Manchester United in October. The Football Association said on Thursday its Independent Regulatory Commission [...]
Juve on top in Turin derby
TURIN, Italy ● Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco scored second half goals as Juventus beat 10-man Torino 3-0 to rack up their 60th win in the ‘Derby della Mole’ on Saturday. Juventus dominated throughout but apart from a solid performance from French midfielder Paul Pogba the bianconeri’s first half display lacked real bite and even [...]
Mancini says City are finished
Manchester City manager believes that his sides Champions League campaign is all but over after their 2-2 draw at home to Ajax on Wednesday evening. City have only managed to accumulate two points in Europe’s elite club competition so far and must win their remaining two matches to have any chance of reaching the knockout [...]
AC Milan fined for supporters’ behavior at derby
MILAN, Italy ● AC Milan has been fined €8,000 ($10,000) for the behavior of its supporters during Sunday’s controversial 1-0 derby loss to Inter Milan. Milan was punished after supporters threw five plastic bottles onto and near the field and displayed an insulting banner against former player Antonio Cassano, who left to join Inter in [...]
Benfica defender Luisa suspended for 2 months
LISBON, Portugal ● Benfica defender Luisao has been suspended for two months by the Portuguese Football Federation after he clashed with a referee during a preseason friendly. The Brazil international will miss four Champions League matches – against Barcelona, Celtic and Spartak Moscow – as well as six Portuguese league games and a Portuguese Cup [...]
Messi once again savior for Barcelona
OSASUNA, Spain ● Lionel Messi struck a late brace to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over 10-man Osasuna on Sunday that took them to the top of the Spanish Liga table. Barca appeared set for their first defeat under coach Tito Vilanova, who was sent from the dug-out for complaining to the referee midway through [...]
