Reuters Football - European Football

Police expose Europe's biggest match-fixing ring

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:29:17 GMT

BOCHUM, Germany, Nov 20 (Reuters) - A match-fixing ring with more than 200 suspected members fixed or tried to fix around 200 matches across Europe, including three in the Champions League, in what UEFA called the biggest betting scandal in Europe.

Russia could lose Hiddink after World Cup flop

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:46:45 GMT

MOSCOW, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Russian football could lose its most precious asset in the form of coach Guus Hiddink as well as millions of dollars after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time.

Hiddink's decision depends on Russian FA, says adviser

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:46:26 GMT

MOSCOW, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Guus Hiddink's decision to continue as Russia coach would largely depend on the new leadership of the country's FA and their ability to make drastic changes in the national game, his adviser said on Friday.

UEFA reinstates Dinamo's docked Europa League points

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:47:00 GMT

BELGRADE, Nov 20 (Reuters) - UEFA has reinstated the three points it docked from Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb following crowd trouble during their Europa league match at Timisoara last month, European soccer's governing body said on Friday.

German police make arrests over match-fixing allegations

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:37:02 GMT

BERLIN, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Police in Germany and abroad have made several arrests and conducted searches on suspicion of an international illegal betting ring allegedly fixing matches in top European leagues, Bochum prosecutors said on Thursday.

Rampant Spain sound off another warning

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:58:13 GMT

VIENNA, Nov 19 (Reuters) - European champions Spain sounded off another warning to the other World Cup finalists with their resounding 5-1 win in Austria on Wednesday.

Wins for Spain and Italy but Germany are held

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:47:00 GMT

MADRID, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Spain marked their return to the Vienna stadium where they won Euro 2008 by thrashing 10-man Austria 5-1 while Germany were held to a 2-2 draw by Ivory Coast in friendlies on Wednesday.

Italy coach Lippi's future to be decided before World Cup

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:16:14 GMT

ROME, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Marcello Lippi's long-term future as Italy coach will be decided before the world champions travel to South Africa for next year's World Cup, the head of the Italian soccer federation said on Wednesday.

Berbatov becomes Bulgaria's leading goalscorer

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:07:43 GMT

PAOLA, Malta, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Dimitar Berbatov became Bulgaria's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals after netting twice in a 4-1 win against Malta in a friendly on Wednesday.

Dutch scoring drought continues in Paraguay draw

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:17:01 GMT

HEERENVEEN, Netherlands, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Netherlands were held 0-0 by Paraguay in a friendly on Wednesday, their third successive game without a goal.

Germany rescued by late goal against Ivory Coast

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:46:32 GMT

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany, Nov 18 (Reuters) - An injury-time goal by Lukas Podolski earned Germany a 2-2 friendly draw against Ivory Coast on Wednesday, the home team's first game since last week's suicide of national keeper Robert Enke.