Football News

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will miss Saturday's Premier League match at lowly Hull City barring a "miracle", manager Arsene Wenger said on Thursday.

Derby and Nottingham Forest have each been fined 45,000 pounds ($67,000; ?49,500) by the Football Association after players and coaching staff from both sides began fighting at a League Championship game for the second time this season. Trouble flared close to the benches during Derby's 1-0 victory at Pride Park in January and the FA charged both teams with failing to control their players.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been appointed a UNICEF global Goodwill Ambassador. The 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year received the honor in a ceremony in Barcelona. A UNICEF statement said Messi's "determination to use his fame to help the world's most vulnerable children" led to his being chosen for the role.

Lyon's impressive run of form is gaining momentum at a crucial time in the season, with Claude Puel's team knocking out Real Madrid in the Champions League the same night defending champion Bordeaux slipped up again to open up the French title race. Lyon's 1-1 draw at Real Madrid on Wednesday sent it through to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006.

Macclesfield Town will pay tribute to Keith Alexander before Saturday's home game with Bury

Boosted by an impressive 4-0 Champions League triumph over AC Milan, Manchester United now has to concentrate on staying on top of the Premier League. After Wayne Rooney took his goals tally for the season to 30 with two more against the Italian club, United has a home game against a Fulham side which has won only one league game in 14 away from home and should be confident of staying two points...

The Red Knights group eyeing a possible bid for Manchester United says investment bank Nomura will advise it.

Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli will miss the Serie A leaders' visit to Catania on Friday after sustaining a knee injury in training, the club said on their website (www.inter.it).

Sir Alex Ferguson challenges Wayne Rooney to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's 42-goal season for Manchester United.

Real Madrid will be under the microscope this weekend as it seeks to respond to its shock midweek elimination from the Champions League when it resumes its league campaign at Valladolid. Madrid was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Lyon on Wednesday, putting the French team through to the quarterfinals on aggregate.

AC Milan insists that its humbling 4-0 loss to Manchester United won't affect its performance in Serie A, where it has moved within four points of leader Inter Milan. The shutout in England that ousted Milan from the Champions League was Milan's worst performance in Europe in six years, since getting beat 4-0 by Deportivo La Coruna in the 2004 quarterfinals.

The group considering a possible takeover of Rangers will decide within a fortnight whether to make an offer for the club.

Derby and Nottingham Forest are fined £35,000 each by the FA for failing to control their players at Pride Park.

Outgoing Russia coach Guus Hiddink wants to end his contract with the Russian FA as soon as possible so he can consider an offer to coach Ivory Coast at this year's World Cup, his adviser said on Thursday.

Derby boss Nigel Clough is confident he will sign a goalkeeper on loan before Saturday's game against Doncaster.

Motherwell boss Craig Brown will ignore talk of targeting a Europa League place until Well secure a top six spot in the Scottish Premier League.

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini receives support from the club's director general following the Spanish giants' Champions League exit.