LONDON - Manchester City has ordered the closure of the Facebook site of the club's groundsman after the latter let loose an inflammatory expletive-laden post about Manchester United ahead of Saturday's derby at Old Trafford.

BARCELONA - The secret of Spanish football club Barcelona's unprecedented success in European football is out. It is its superstar factory, a production line that is the envy of the international football circuit.

LONDON - The Football Association has said that it will ban players from Premier League games if they refuse to play for England.ngland were rocked this week when 24 players withdrew from their four representative teams - the seniors, Under-21s, Under-20s and Under-19s.

BRISTOL - Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will play Twenty20 cricket for Gloucestershire.

ESSEX - A fire at a retirement home in Westcliff, Essex, claimed the life of former England cricketer Trevor Bailey on Thursday. He was 87.