Maradona faces World Cup crisis

Lurching from one defeat to another, Diego Maradona is in danger of becoming the first coach in 30 years to fail to get Argentina to the World Cup.

The 3-1 defeat at home to Brazil left his team way behind the Brazilians, Chile and Paraguay and hanging on to the fourth automatic qualifying spot from South America with three rounds to go.

It also appeared to provide more evidence that one of the game's greatest players - some say the greatest - is no coach.

Maradona may be an inspirational figure, hugely popular among his countrymen and revered as a great player by the stars now under his comma...
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Man United threatens Le Havre over cash claims

Manchester United threatened Le Havre with legal action Monday if the French club continues to claim financial inducements were paid to the family of a teenager signed by the Premier League champions.

According to Le Havre president Jean-Pierre Louvel, Paul Pogba's parents were offered cash and a house by United to lure the 16-year-old midfielder to Old Trafford in July.

United said it will rigorously defend any complaint by Le Havre to FIFA, which last week banned Chelsea from signing any players until 2011 for encouraging French striker Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens to join them.

Arshavin trains for Russia ahead of Wales match

Russia captain Andrei Arshavin shook off concerns about a groin injury Monday by taking part in a training session ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Wales.

Arshavin picked up the injury during Arsenal's match at Manchester United on Aug. 29, forcing the forward to miss Russia's 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein on Saturday.

Coach Guus Hiddink may be able to include Arshavin in his plans for Wednesday's match in Cardiff.

Arsenal teammate Aaron Ramsey, who plays for Wales, can't wait for the chance to come up against Arshavin.

"I don't know whether he wi...
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Sneijder back in Netherlands camp after recovery

Wesley Sneijder has joined the Netherlands squad to face Scotland for Wedesday's World Cup qualifier after recovering from an ankle injury.

Sneijder hurt his ankle in an international friendly against Japan on Saturday but in a statement late Sunday the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) said the Inter Milan midfielder had made "sufficient recovery" and would travel with the rest of the team.

He was replaced by former Real Madrid teammate Rafael van der Vaart after scoring the Netherlands' second goal in the 3-0 win against Japan.

The Netherlands, which has already qu...
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Arsenal defender Djourou sidelined for 6 months

Arsenal is likely to be without Johan Djourou until March after the defender underwent knee surgery.

The 22-year-old Switzerland international had surgery on his knee cartilage in Geneva that will rule him out for up to six months according to the Swiss football federation.

When Djourou first picked up the injury last month, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hoped he would return to action by September.

Djourou had been hoping to compete for a starting place after the sale of Kolo Toure to Manchester City. Wenger has other backup options, including Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos.