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LONDON - The British transfer record was smashed twice on Monday as Liverpool sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea but raided Newcastle United for an immediate replacement in the shape of burly England front-man Andy Carroll.

The apparent suicide of Wales' coach Gary Speed struck a poignant chord with the author of an award-winning book about the life and untimely death of former Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke.

GOIANIA - Brazil coach Mano Menezes defended his tactics and did not appear to be too concerned after his team was jeered off the field following a 0-0 draw at home against the Netherlands.

JOHANNESBURG - Former France international Marcel Desailly said on Friday that the lasting legacy of the first World Cup in Africa must be an improvement in football all over the continent, not just in South Africa.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini played down a training ground clash between Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards on Friday but urged the "king" of controversy to keep the volatile side of his character in check.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew remains convinced his side will soon pick up in the Premier League despite a fourth consecutive league defeat on Wednesday in a 2-1 reverse at Stoke City.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini softened his stance towards Carlos Tevez on Friday, saying he did not know whether the Argentine would play for the club again despite previously stating the striker was "finished".

Gangling central defender Rolando Schiavi added another colourful chapter to his long career as a villain-turned-hero in Boca Juniors' 1-1 draw with San Martin at La Bombonera on Sunday.

LONDON - Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has flown to Serbia for treatment on the torn thigh muscle he suffered training with England ahead of last weekend's friendly with Brazil in the hope of being fit to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

MADRID - Barcelona revive their entertaining rivalry with Arsenal on Wednesday in the first leg their Champions League last 16 tie that will showcase two of the most technically gifted and attractive sides in world football.

Former FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam has lost his appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his latest ban from football, football's governing body said on Wednesday.

SYDNEY, June 4 (Reuters) - Penpix of Australia's 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa:

BUENOS AIRES - Estudiantes go into their final match of the Argentine championship at home to Arsenal on Sunday looking for the win that will crown them Apertura champions.

BAGHDAD - Iraqi authorities were not surprised football's world governing body decided to suspend the country from international competition and already have lawyers working on an appeal, officials said.

RIO DE JANEIRO - England's Premier League and any others who want to introduce goal-line technology got the go-ahead to do so from FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Wednesday, as long as the law-making International Football Association Board approves it next March.

The spectre of match-fixing loomed over Spanish top-flight football on Monday but the football league (LFP) and two of the clubs allegedly involved swiftly moved to distance themselves from the speculation.

MADRID - Barcelona start the defence of their Champions League crown at home to European veterans AC Milan on Tuesday unsettled by an injury to new signing Alexis Sanchez and a sloppy league display.

The lack of any experienced strikers for Wednesday's friendly against Netherlands is no cause for concern, England's caretaker manager Stuart Pearce said on Tuesday.

BLOEMFONTEIN - Grouchy Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss warmed up for Sunday's Group F match against Paraguay with an irritable outburst at visiting media on Saturday.

David Silva restored Manchester City's two-point lead in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday after Wayne Rooney's lightning-fast header had helped Manchester United briefly return to the top.

BELGRADE - Red Star Belgrade sacked manager Vladimir Petrovic on Sunday and named youth team coach Ratko Dostanic as his replacement, the Serbian first division leaders said on their website.

PORT ELIZABETH - England's players had let their country down and were hungry to beat Slovenia and turn their World Cup campaign around, captain Steven Gerrard said.

ZILINA, Slovakia - Esteban Paredes scored early in the second half to give Chile a 2-1 friendly win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Slovakia on Tuesday which earned lavish praise from the opposing coach.

JOHANNESBURG - As anniversaries go, Thursday's was one South Korea will want to forget in a hurry.

BELEK, Turkey - Russian football chiefs gave Guus Hiddink the go-ahead on Tuesday to take over as Chelsea manager until the end of the season while continuing as Russia coach.