Serbian soccer federation fined, warned it could lose points over rowdy crowds

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia’s soccer federation was fined for rowdy crowd behavior and warned by FIFA the team could lose points if problems persist at remaining World Cup qualifying matches.

Gun-toting Pa. soccer mom, husband with marital problems found shot dead at home; 3 kids safe

LEBANON, Pa. — Police say a Pennsylvania soccer mom who gained national attention when she openly carried a loaded gun to her 5-year-old daughter’s game has been shot dead along with her husband in what appears to be a murder-suicide.

French gay soccer team says it was snubbed by Muslim team

PARIS — A French gay soccer team says its members were victims of homophobia when a team of Muslim players refused to play a match against them.

UEFA president Platini meets with Israel’s Peres to discuss role of soccer in global peace

JERUSALEM — The head of European soccer’s governing body believes the sport can play a role in bringing peace to the Middle East.

Joe carries the Gatting family’s sporting culture

NEW DELHI - He followed his father into professional football but then switched to trail his uncle’s footsteps into cricket. Meet Joe Gatting, son of former Arsenal footballer Steve and nephew of legendary England bastman and captain Mike Gatting.

Ronaldo believes he’ll recover from ankle injury, hopes to play in Portugal’s next qualifier

LISBON, Portugal — Cristiano Ronaldo believes he will recover from an ankle injury in time for Portugal’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary this weekend.

US midfielder Clint Dempsey to miss World Cup qualifier due to sprained shoulder

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — Clint Dempsey will miss the United States’ World Cup qualifier at Honduras on Saturday because of a sprained right shoulder.

Bagan lose 2-3 to Chirag in I-League

KOLKATA - City giants Mohun Bagan paid the price for poor defending as they went down 2-3 to Chirag United in their I-league lung opener here Monday.

England name squads for two remaining World Cup qualifiers

LONDON - England manager Fabio Capello recalled Gabriel Agbonlahor and David James to his football squad for their final two World Cup qualifying matches this week.

Sevilla beat Real Madrid and join them in second place

MADRID - Real Madrid suffered their first defeat Sunday, 2-1 away to spirited Sevilla, who now share second place with them.

Juventus still in touch despite poor form

ROME - A sound 2-0 beating away to Palermo late Sunday was a worrisome eye-opener for Juventus fans who must have asked themselves how their team can sit just two points from the Serie A top after seven games.

Juventus crash at Palermo, lose chance to go top

ROME - Juventus spoiled their unbeaten Serie A record as Edison Cavani and Fabio Simplicio stunned them in a 2-0 defeat suffered at Palermo.

Man U’s Giggs eats figs, not biscuits to keep him going at nearly 36

LONDON - Soccer veteran Ryan Giggs’ has stunned football pundits with his energetic performances this season, despite turning 36 in November.

IOC to watch for irregular betting at Olympics via a new Swiss-based company

COPENHAGEN — The International Olympic Committee is setting up a new system to watch for corrupt betting practices linked to Olympic competitions.

MLS boss Don Garber says Stan Kroenke would be a good Arsenal owner, promote young talent

LONDON — MLS commissioner Don Garber says Stan Kroenke would be a positive addition for Arsenal if the American businessman completes his buyout of the Premier League club.

Wesley Sneijder’s late goal puts Inter Milan atop Serie A

ROME - A last-gasp tight-angle shot from Wesley Sneijder late Saturday gave Inter Milan a 2-1 win over Udinese to put the title holders at the top of the Italian Serie A.

Liverpool star works as hard off the pitch as on to help needy

LONDON - Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt, who has a reputation for being the ultimate team player on the pitch, is matched by his tireless efforts off it by trying to change lives of people with his simple gestures.

Soccer-only stadium to be crown jewel of MLS, could trigger comeback in tiny northern NJ town

HARRISON, N.J. — An intimate, soccer-only stadium rising in a careworn former industrial city is expected to be the crown jewel of Major League Soccer and one of the keys to a local redevelopment project.

MLS commissioner says Beckham in talks to return to LA Galaxy after another Milan loan

LONDON — David Beckham is in talks with the Los Angeles Galaxy about going to AC Milan on another loan and then returning to Major League Soccer again.

MLS chief says Beckham in talks to return to LA Galaxy after another Milan loan

LONDON — David Beckham is in talks with the Galaxy about going to AC Milan on another loan and then returning to Los Angeles afterward.

After party, hard work ahead: Brazil starts getting ready for World Cup and Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO — As Rio awoke from a night of celebration after being awarded the 2016 Olympics, Brazil was already looking ahead to years of hard work in what will be a historic time in Latin America’s biggest nation.

ONGC rout Air India in Murugappa Gold Cup hockey

CHENNAI - Defending champions Air India went down 1-5 against an inspired ONGC in their opening Pool A match of the 85th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here Friday.

US entrepreneur Tim Barton says he’s still interested in buying Bari after Serie A season

ROME — Texas-based entrepreneur Tim Barton is still interested in buying Bari once the Serie A season is finished.

Everton stays perfect in Europa League, Fulham also wins

BRUSSELS — Everton maintained its perfect record with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Bate Borisov in Europa League on Thursday.

Beckham confident inflamed Achilles won’t keep him from playing for Galaxy against Fire

CARSON, Calif. — Galaxy star David Beckham is confident that an inflamed right Achilles tendon will not keep him from playing Friday night in a game against the Chicago Fire with postseason implications.

Italian club Bari calls off sale to Texas-based entrepreneur Tim Barton due to takeover delay

BARI, Italy — American businessman Tim Barton’s bid to buy Bari has fallen apart, with the Serie A club rejecting a delay in the takeover process.

Churchill Brothers held by Mahindra United in I-League opener

MUMBAI - Defending champions Churchill Brothers were held 1-1 by Mahindra United in the opening game of the first round of the I-League football at the Cooperage here Thursday.

Hockey squad for Women’s Asia Cup

NEW DELHI - Hockey India Thursday announced an 18-member squad for the Women’s Asia Cup to be held in Bangkok Oct 3 to Nov 8.

Serbia state prosecutor moves to ban 3 violent soccer fan groups in wake of Frenchman’s death

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbian prosecutors will request that three soccer fan groups with a history of violence and suspected of recently killing a French fan be banned, a spokesman said Thursday.

United fight back while Madrid crush Marseille

HAMBURG - Manchester United came from a goal down at home to beat VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 in the Champions League while Real Madrid continued their strong start to the season with a comfortable win against Marseille.

Sampdoria set to retain lead as giants dither

ROME - Surprise Italian Serie A football tournament leaders Sampdoria have a good chance of remaining at the top, and could stretch their lead, when they welcome promoted side Parma in Genoa Sunday.

French government announces new unit to fight soccer hooliganism

PARIS — France’s Interior Ministry has announced the creation of a unit that will target soccer hooligans.

Donovan, Altidore, Howard finalists for award as top US soccer player

LOS ANGELES — Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore are finalists for the 2009 Honda Player of the Year Award that honors the best performer on the U.S. national team.

FIFA says all stadiums close to completion; plans for Africa’s 1st World Cup on track

FIFA says WCup stadiums in SAfrica almost built

Thousands mourn death of French soccer fan attacked by Serbian hooligans

BELGRADE, Serbia — Thousands gathered in downtown Belgrade on Wednesday to mourn the death of a 28-year-old French soccer fan who was fatally beaten by Serbian hooligans.