Lyon, which has appeared in the past four Champions League finals, had won 35 of their 36 matches in all competitions this season, securing a seventh consecutive French league title in the process.

But the German champion sprang a major surprise thanks to Martina Muller's second-half penalty.

Muller drove her spot-kick past Sarah Bouhaddi in the 73rd minute after Laura Georges handled in the area.

Ralf Kellermann's team, which beat Arsenal in the semi-finals, held on through the nervous final minutes to secure a first continental crown and shatter Lyon's hopes of a record third Champions League title.

Japan international striker Ami Otaki, who had scored one goal in three appearances in the tournament this season, was named on the Lyon bench but never got on the pitch.

With just one game to play, the Violets boast an unassailable eight-point lead over second-placed Red Bull Salzburg, last year's champion.

The Viennese outfit, which last won the title in 2006, is on course to win the double, with the Cup final to come against third-tier side Pasching on May 30.

Only Austria's capital rival Rapid, with 32, has won more titles than the new champion.

The French giant, described as the Barcelona of women's football, is the first team to contest four successive European club finals and do so on the back of victories in 2011 and 2012.

Lyon overcame German sides Potsdam and Frankfurt in those triumphs and Wolfsburg is determined not to go the same way in west London.

There is confidence within the camp that it can do just that, having recently won the women's Bundesliga and German Cup, as well as knocking Arsenal out at the semi-final juncture.

"A Champions League final is always a challenge, no matter who you are playing," Wolfsburg coach Ralf Kellermann said.

"Now we are playing against a team that has won it twice and obviously that is as big a challenge as there is.

"But even though they have dominated for so long, we're going to be absolutely prepared, ready and motivated for this game.

"We want to win the game for us, not for the pride of Germany or anything like that.

"I saw the finals in Fulham and Munich and Lyon deserved to win those games.

"Now we're playing a game here, over 90 minutes or 120 minutes, and each team has a chance.

"We're completely motivated, completely prepared and we will be in that game to win it."

Lyon has brought a vastly experienced squad to west London and captain Sonia Bompastor, part of the triumphant sides in 2011 and 2012, believes it can succeed again.

"Traditionally when French teams came up against German sides, the French sides would always lose," the 32-year-old said.

"Thankfully, with Lyon over the last couple of years we've managed to change that and show that we have the ability and talent within the side to actually beat them if we play to our best level.

"Perhaps they are less impressive than they were but we still have a lot of respect for them.

"German sides have always been in the final over the last few years because they work very hard, the national and club structure is very good and are still the benchmark we respect."

The 31-year-old will join the east London side on 1 July on a one-year deal, when his contract with his current employer Shakhtar Donetsk ends.

Rat spent 10 years with the Ukrainian side, winning 15 trophies and the club has the option to extend his deal to two or three years.

"I'm hugely happy that we've got a player of his experience and his character," manager Sam Allardyce told the club's official website.

"He's been playing Champions League football this year and at the highest level for many years. Shakhtar had offered him a very good contract, but his ambition was to come and try his abilities and skills in England.

"When you hear somebody speak so positively about that, then you know they've got the mental character that's needed to do well in this division.

"We certainly know he's got the ability and he's at an age where he's still capable of producing at 31.

"He speaks perfect English, which he taught himself, and that shows the discipline and the character of the man. Discipline, character and ability are the three big things in the Premier League, and with a little bit of adjusting, we'll see him early on in the season giving hopefully his best performances for West Ham."

One man on the way out however is Carlton Cole who indicated that his future lies away from Upton Park.

The striker's contract expires at the end of June and the former Chelsea man believes he will be playing his football elsewhere next season.

''Life is filled with ups & downs today is a down but i'll be back! Carlton Cole/CFC as i have been called has left the building #UNDERCHUFFED,'' he wrote on Twitter.

''i want to thank the West Ham fans for their support especially the 1's who made the away games feel like a home 1 #COYI

''i came to East London not knowing what to expect but i'm glad i did the last 7 years I've met a lot of good honest decent people #THANKYOU.''

The court on Monday overturned 'in totality' an appeals court sentencing in November when Rapid Bucharest chairman George Copos, Dinamo Bucharest executive chairman Cristi Borcea and agents Ioan Becali and Victor Becali were sentenced to between five and eight years. The officials all appealed.

The appeals court will now retry the case, which involves players who transferred from Dinamo, Rapid, Otelul Galati and Gloria Bistrita to foreign clubs from 1999 to 2005.

Prosecutors said the state lost 1.7 million euros ($2.23 million) in taxes and the clubs lost 10 million euros ($13.14 million) because the officials registered fictitious sums in the books.

Brondby, the 10-times league champion which has previously played in the UEFA Cup semi-finals and European Cup quarter-finals, went into its last game just two points above its opponent, which occupied the second relegation place.

When it had Quincy Antipas sent off with almost 20 minutes remaining and the game goalless, the door appeared open for Horsens to snatch a winner.

But it was Brondby which won the game in the last minute, Lebogang Phiri scoring a goal which finally eased the nerves of the travelling fans.

Champion FC Copenhagen ended its campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Sonderjyske.

Igor Vetokele put Copenhagen ahead in the 37th minute but Niels Lodberg equalised early in the second half before Copenhagen had Claudemir sent off.

It still finished the season five points clear of second-placed Nordsjaelland, which beat Esbjerg 1-0 thanks to Conor O'Brien's first-half goal.

Third-placed Randers conceded a last-minute equaliser as it was held 2-2 by AaB.

Nicklas Helenius gave the Aalborg side an early lead but Ronnie Schwartz equalised and Lasse Nielsen's own goal put Randers ahead, only for Rasmus Thelander to salvage a point late on.

Midtjylland came from a goal down with eight minutes remaining to beat AGF Aarhus 3-2.

Petter Andersson gave Midtjylland a lead which was overhauled by Davit Skhirtladze and Anders Kure, but Sylvester Igboun Emeka equalised and Erik Sviatchenko grabbed a last-minute winner.

Relegated Silkeborg came from behind on three occasions to draw 3-3 away to Odense, which finished one place above the drop zone after being overtaken by Brondby.

Odense led at half-time through Darko Bodul and, after Marvin Pourie's equaliser, Marcus Pedersen restored the lead.

Anders Moller Christensen's own goal levelled matters with six minutes remaining but was only the prelude to a finish which saw Morten Skoubo make it 3-2 and fellow substitute Christian Holst equalise in the last minute.

After announcing in midweek that he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, Beckham was handed the armband before producing a vintage performance as the capital club defeated already-relegated Brest 3-1 in its penultimate game of the campaign.

There is an outside chance he will feature at Lorient next Sunday, but the 38-year-old made a perhaps telling emotional exit in the 82nd minute by hugging most of his team-mates to a standing ovation before making way for Ezequiel Lavezzi.

"Tonight was a nice way to go out - in front of my own fans, in front of a capacity crowd that were excited because we've won the league. The celebrations have been incredible, so it's a nice way to walk off the pitch," he said on Sky Sports News.

"To go out like I did tonight couldn't have been any more perfect."

Asked whether he could feature next weekend, he replied: "We'll see. There's a plastic pitch next weekend. I ruptured my Achilles a few years ago, so it's not great for it.

"Like I said, tonight was very special. I'll be part of the team next week. Whether I play or not, who knows?"

Beckham was particularly touched by the honour of skippering the team and said he would be forever grateful.

"That started my emotions kicking in earlier today, when the manager called me in and said 'we've spoken to the players, it's the players' idea - we want to make you captain'," the former England captain said.

"It's really special for an Englishman to be captain of PSG - especially on a night that meant so much to the club and the players. It was an amazing gesture and one I'll always be thankful for."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic threatened to overshadow the former Manchester United man's night with a brace in between Blaise Matuidi's strike in the first half, but it was clear to see the evening belonged to Beckham.

On his tearful farewell to the players before leaving the field, he continued: "It (the emotion) started 20 minutes before then. The emotions started kicking in. It was hard to run, let alone kick a ball. It was an emotional night. To see the reaction of the players, of the fans, when I came off was special."

He added: "Physically, I feel great. I actually felt great tonight. Physically, I think I've made the decision knowing that I wanted to still feel good at the end of my career and I do feel good. But I know it's the right time."

PSG secured its first Ligue 1 title in 19 years with a 1-0 win at Lyon last weekend.

It meant Beckham, who joined PSG in January on a short-term deal, has won league titles in four countries - England, Spain, the United States and France.

Victory for the visitor would have moved it to within a point of Grasshoppers in second, but instead it fell behind early and never looked like recovering.

Marco Schneuwly had Thun ahead after just four minutes and Andreas Wittwer doubled the lead nine minutes later.

St Gallen could not muster a response and it was Michael Siegfried who finished it off at the death.

Thun remains sixth but is now two points off the Europa League places ahead of the rest of the weekend's fixtures.

First-half goals from Turgut Sahin (27') and Cenk Tosun (31') were enough to secure victory for Gaziantepspor and give them hope of a top-half finish.

Mersin Idmanyurdu managed a reply though Wissem Ben Yahia on 72 minutes, but will finish last by at least seven points with the rest of the Super Lig to play their final-round matches this weekend.

Craig Henderson put the host ahead after 43 minutes, but Simon Kroon levelled on the hour mark, just two minutes after coming on.

Marcus Ekenberg restored Mjallby's lead two minutes later only for Magnus Eriksson to make it 2-2 with an 84th-minute penalty.

And the home side finished with 10 men after the 89th-minute dismissal of Daniel Nicklasson.

The draw left both teams level on 16 points from nine games, three points off leader Helsingborg.

The second season of a two-year suspension on Malaga competing in European competition has been lifted by UEFA after the Spanish club proved it has no outstanding debts to other clubs, employees or tax authorities.

Malaga reached the quarter-finals in its first season in the UEFA Champions League but is currently banned from competing in Europe next season because UEFA in December found it was in breach of new financial fair play rules.

It was given until March 31 to show it had cleared those overdue debts to avoid being banned for another season.

However, the club confirmed on that UEFA had now accepted it has complied with those requirements.

"Malaga football club has today received communication from UEFA that its financial control committee has confirmed that, after an analysis of the situation of the Martiricos club on 31 March, 2013, it leaves without effect the second conditional year of suspension against the Andalusian club," a statement read on the club's website.

The club is also appealing the initial decision taken by UEFA.

It is taking that case to the Court of Arbitration (CAS) for Sport in a bid to get the entire ban overturned.

Malaga has been awarded a licence from the Spanish Football Federation to play in Europe next season should that appeal be successful.

"This decision and the awarding of the licence ratify what the club already expressed when our compliance was put in doubt," said Chief Executive Officer Vicente Casado.

"We have worked and we will continue to do so because we are very optimistic looking to the future."

A decision from the CAS is expected to be announced on June 4.

McManaman was the star of the Latics' FA Cup triumph last Saturday and was rewarded for his excellent form over the past few months of the season with a first call-up to Stuart Pearce's England squad for the tournament in Israel in June.

But the 22-year-old damaged ankle ligaments in Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) 4-1 defeat by Arsenal, which condemned the Latics to relegation, and, although he will not need an operation, he is now in a race against time to be fit for the start of next season.

The head of European football's governing body says the German sides, who meet at London's Wembley stadium on May 25, are an example for other clubs to follow.

"You don't have to make losses and shortfalls to be in the Champions League final. It's the proof that you can have a clean, virtuous, moral game that everyone wants," Platini told AFP in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

"Yes, the Champions League finalists are model pupils, they're not in the red, they've got good stadiums and what's more they're winning. It's a very good image."

Concern about heavy spending, particularly at major European clubs, prompted UEFA to introduce Financial Fair Play rules, threatening tough sanctions, including suspension from European competitions, for sides that spend more than they earn.

The rules are designed to ensure a more level playing field and prevent wealthy clubs from having an unfair advantage over smaller sides.

Platini believes the rules have prompted a change in attitude among clubs to get their finances in order.

He says no club, no matter how big, will be exempt from punishment.

Spanish side Malaga, beaten quarter-finalists in this year's Champions League, was the first major casualty of the system.

Last December, the Qatari-owned club's failure to pay players and other clubs on time saw it banned from European competition the next time they qualify.

It could face a second year-long ban if it fails to honour its debts, although Malaga has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The 38-year-old, who recently won a league title in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain, has become a global superstar since starting his career at Manchester United.

Beckham says "I'm thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level."

In a Sky Sports News interview with Gary Neville, his former team-mate who was the best man at his wedding to Spice Girl wife Victoria, Beckham said: "It's every athlete's dream, it's every footballer's dream to go out on top form or winning a trophy. It doesn't happen that often."

He added: "I've been lucky: when I left United we won the league, when I left Madrid we won the league, leaving Galaxy after winning the championship there and then coming here [Paris] and winning the league. It's nice to go out like that, it's written, it's simple."

Beckham made his debut for Manchester United in 1992, winning six league titles and the Champions League before moving to Real Madrid and then LA Galaxy, plus loan spells at AC Milan. He made his England debut in 1996 and would go on to be the Three Lions' most capped outfield player with 115 appearances. He was the first England player to score in three consecutive World Cups.

His move to the USA did not diminish his commercial appeal - rather it enhanced it, and recently he has become an ambassador for sport for China as well as agreeing a number of other commercial tie-ups that has maintained his position as the world's richest footballer.

His commercial appeal and celebrity lifestyle has sometimes created more headlines than his actions on the pitch, and Beckham admitted he had been hurt by those who sought to criticise his approach, adding: "Over the years people have obviously looked at other things that have gone on in my career and sometimes that's overshadowed what I've done on the pitch.

"As much as I say that doesn't hurt me, of course it does. At the end of the day I'm a footballer who has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, with some of the best players in the world, and under some of the biggest and best managers, and achieved almost everything in football.

"It hurts when people - not question it - but think about other things. I hope people will remember me as a hard-working footballer, someone who was passionate about the game and someone that gave everything that they have, because that's how I feel.

"To come to the end of my career now and look back and say I've achieved everything with every club I've ever played for, played for my country 115 times, been runner-up twice in the World Player of the Year to two amazing footballers [Rivaldo and Figo], I'm very proud of that."

The eight Estonian players each received a one-year ban for receiving money from a bookmaker while the Lebanese player was banned for life after an investigation into betting and corruption.

A FIFA statement added: "The Estonian FA has specified that the bans are temporary at this stage, as more evidence and information is currently being gathered."

The trio were part of Chelsea's 25-man playing party which travelled to the Netherlands for the side's match at the Amsterdam ArenA, the club has confirmed on its website.

Terry (ankle) and Hazard (hamstring) suffered injuries in Saturday's English Premier League win at Aston Villa.

The 26-year-old Brazil defender, or midfielder, has been a key component of the Blues side which has reached this season's Europa League final against his former club Benfica, where he hopes to realise his ambition of more silverware.

Luiz, who won the FA Cup and Champions League in his first full season at Stamford Bridge, said: "When I was young, I dreamt one day to play for a big club. Now I have the opportunity.

"I dreamt to play in big games, now I have another opportunity.

"I dreamt to play in finals, now I have another opportunity.

"I'm so happy with this."

Luiz, who likes to be the centre of attention, is thrilled to be playing against his former club, too. His Chelsea team-mate Ramires is also a former Benfica player.

"I have a lot of love for Benfica but inside the game it's for Chelsea," added Luiz, who moved to London from Lisbon in January 2011.

"It's naturally emotional because it's a final. Everyone wants to win, I want to win. Benfica, for sure, want to win.

"It will be a magnificent day and a difficult game for us.

"Chelsea have an opportunity to win one more European title, so let's do it."

Luiz has been deployed at centre-back and in defensive midfield this term, but wherever he plays he has influenced matches.

The Brazilian, who scored in each leg of the semi-final with Basel, said: "I just try my best every game and in the final, I'll do everything.

"If I get another opportunity to score a goal, I'm happy with this."

Asked if he has a position of preference, Luiz said: "In the starting XI. I enjoy to play football. I love football. I try my best in all the positions.

"When you're open to learn things, you can change positions, you can learn more and you can improve your game."

Luiz attributed his enhanced influence this term to being more mature and he has played nearly every game of the campaign.

The Europa League final will be the 68th competitive match of the season, but Luiz is not feeling any ill effects.

He said: "There's no time to be tired. I'm so fresh and I want to win."

Holland, who was part of the Newcastle Jets side which beat Central Coast Mariners in the 2008 A-League grand final, is on the cusp of a league and cup double with Austria Wien as it hunts an Austrian Bundesliga points record in the final three rounds of the season.

Austria Wien has already racked up a club record 76 points from 33 games for the season - and it isn't finished yet as its chases the four points which will make it impossible for second-placed Salzburg to peg it back, even if it wins its three remaining games.

The league leader needs 81 points to equal the league's all-time high - and could finish with as many as 85 as it lays one hand on its 25th domestic title.

Then, on 31 May, the Austrian cup final against third-tier Pasching beckons in what would be a 28th cup success.

Holland, 23, has barely missed a beat for the high-flying club which is so keen to keep him it has already activated a two-year extension clause in his current deal and has also offered the carrot of an upgraded contract to boot.

"We're pretty close now but we're not counting out chickens just yet," said Holland, who has become a first-team staple under appreciative coach Peter Stoger after his move from AZ.

"Salzburg have pushed us all the way and it says a lot that we have broken the club record for points in an entire season but still haven't quite sewn up the title.

"But two of our last three games are against quite lowly sides (Wiener Neustadt and Mattersburg, before a potential six-pointer against Salzburg).

"So we're in a great position and it's ours to lose now. It's a tough thing to win a title because you have to turn up and perform every week and the level in this league is pretty high.

"I've had a few niggles here and there and lost my rhythm a bit in the second half of the season but I feel I'm getting back to my best now and that's a good feeling."

A call up for Australia's 'high noon June' - the decisive 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan, Jordan and Iraq - is also looming in what has turned into a helter-skelter year for the emerging Socceroo.

He will not make it into camp in Tokyo until three days before the 4 June showdown against Japan in Saitma but must first negotiate the final hurdles to domestic glory, culminating in the Austrian cup final against a Pasching side which upset Salzburg in the semi-final.

His consistency has seen him linked with a possible move to Germany but Holland, who has grown into his role as a holding midfielder for his club and is also pushing a regular start for his country, is happy to remain in Austria for at least one more season.

"Who knows what will happen," he said. "If something comes up outside of Austria which is impossible to ignore, you'd look at it but I am really happy at this club.

"I'm playing each week, improving my game all the time and playing in team which plays some excellent football.

"To win a title here would be special and the cup would be an extra bonus. I've talked to the club about a new contract and the fact it has activated the two-year clause in my existing contract is fine with me, especially since next season we'll be in the Europa League at the very least.

"If we win the title then we could possibly even be in the Champions League next season."

To achieve that lofty goal, Austria Wien would have to negotiate the penultimate qualifying round to make it to the main draw.

"Getting to the group stage would be an amazing experience," he added. "But there's a bit of football to be played yet before that becomes a reality."

Goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen put through his own net after 11 minutes, before Nicolaj Ritter saw red just before the hour mark.

Martin Spelmann netted late on to seal the win to move his side a point clear of second-bottom Brondby.

Mourinho led Porto to the Europa League title in 2003 and the Champions League crown a year later before moving to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, having won the European Cup in Munich 12 months ago, is seeking to do the reverse with victory over Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday night (Thursday morning AEST) and hold both titles at the same time, albeit for a period of 10 days until this year's Champions League winner is confirmed.

"We have now the chance to win two European trophies in a row, which is not easy for any club and we will try to do it," Mata said.

"It would be very, very nice. After winning the Champions League and FA Cup, it would be really nice and I would be really pleased to win another trophy with Chelsea."

Mata's season began as part of Spain's victorious Euro 2012 squad, then he played in the Olympics.

He has featured in more than 60 games for Chelsea, whose 68th and penultimate game of the campaign comes at the Amsterdam ArenA.

"It's been a long season in terms of the amount of games, but I think it's good," Mata said.

"I'm really happy with the season personally, but it's not finished yet.

"It can be even better, if we win the title."

Mata praised the influence of compatriot Rafael Benitez, the interim boss who is expected to be succeeded by Real Madrid head coach Mourinho this summer.

"The manager's trying to rotate the players, we're resting," Mata said.

"It's been a pleasure for me. He's a top manager, he's tried his best. If we win the trophy it will be great for him and the team."

While Mata, barring injury or illness, is certain to start in Holland, 18-year-old defender or midfielder Nathan Ake is merely content to be travelling with the squad, having begun to train with the first team in December.

Ake said: "It's good to play in a European final, but I don't know if I'm on the bench yet.

"I've played in the semi-final and quarter-final so that's good experience for me already and by travelling to Amsterdam as well."

Goals from Peter Ankersen (20) and Martin Braithwaite (57) gave mid-table Esbjerg a 2-0 victory, though Copenhagen has already wrapped up the title as it leads by seven points with two games remaining.

There was also defeat for third-placed Randers, which was hammered 3-0 at Midtjylland.

All the goals came in the first half with Erik Sviatchenko opening the scoring in the 11th minute beforee Danny Olsen converted a penalty shortly after the half-hour mark. Petter Andersson then struck three minutes before half-time.

AaB and Brondby drew 1-1 in the day's other game.

AaB's Nicklas Helenius cancelled out Clarence Goodson's opener but Brondby held on for a draw despite the late dismissal of substitute Dario Dumic.

The home side was in front as early as the sixth minute thanks to Osama Akharraz with Soren Larsen adding another six minutes after the interval.

Johan Absalonsen pulled a goal back for Sonderjyske after 56 minutes but AGF held on, with the win lifting it above its opponent and seven points clear of the bottom two.

Sonderjyske is two places and one point worse off.

With FC Copenhagen having already wrapped up the title, only the second place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying stages remained up for grabs and Anders Christiansen's second-half double helped Nordsjaelland take a stranglehold on it.

Nicolai Stokholm's opener was cancelled out by Marcus Pedersen but Christiansen put Nordsjaelland in control and Oguzhan Aynaoglu rounded off the win.

The result leaves Nordsjaelland nine points clear of third-placed Randers, which has only three games remaining and whose goal difference is inferior by 30.

The report emerged after the Serie A club announced on its Twitter account last Friday that the game, scheduled for the Chinese capital on May 25, had been cancelled for "organisational reasons".

A report on Sina Sports, one of China's top sports news portals, said AC Milan was expecting to be paid 50 per cent of their 1.5 million euro ($2 million) appearance fee before an April 30 deadline.

But the organisers "did not secure financial support for the project", leading to the automatic cancellation of the contract, the report said, without citing sources.

Other Chinese reports said that Ajax could potentially play another team in the game, called the Winoly Cup.

The match organisers, Beijing-based sports promotions company Winoly, could not be reached for comment.

Winoly has helped mount a string of exhibition games in China, including a game between English Premier League sides Manchester City and Arsenal in Beijing last year.

The 71-year-old revealed he will step down at the end of the season after a trophy-laden 26-year reign, with the European press quick to respond.

Spanish website Marca goes with simply 'Ferguson retires' on its story, before looking ahead to who might replace the Scot at the Red Devils' helm.

"On the table there are various names," its story reads. "The favourite one seems to be the current coach of Everton, David Moyes, but he is not the only candidate. Jose Mourinho is also in the picture."

The headline on the website of French sports daily L'Equipe reads 'Au revoir, Sir Alex', before reporting: "The legendary Manchester United manager has decided to leave his role. At the age of 71, after more than 26 years on the bench of the Red Devils, the Scot will step down at the height of his glory."

Ferguson's departure also made the top stories on the websites of Italian newspapers Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport, the latter declaring: "It's official: Ferguson retires at the end of the season."

In Portugal, Lisbon newspaper Record declared as 'The day Ferguson got tired of winning' before reflecting on how the Scot transformed United into England's most successful club having taken over trailing Liverpool 16-7 in league titles.

Daniel Striani is being represented by Jean-Louis Dupont, the lawyer who in 1995 secured the Bosman ruling that allowed players to move on a free transfer at the end of their contract.

Dupont believes the 'break-even rule', which prohibits clubs in European competition spending more than their income, "infringes EU fundamental freedoms" such as free movement of capital, of workers (players) and of services (agents).

"Consequently, such restriction of competition and violation of EU fundamental freedoms cannot be justified by the objectives put forward by UEFA," read a statement from Dupont.

He is claiming that overspending should be allowed so long as it is fully guaranteed, such as by bank guarantees.

"In short, the current prohibition... is in practice illegal because the rule is not proportionate, since it can be replaced by another measure, equally efficient but less damaging as far as EU freedoms are concerned," it reads.

UEFA believes it has already tested the break-even rule's legality with the EU.

"UEFA believes that financial fair play is fully in line with EU law and is confident that the European Commission will reject this complaint," the organisation said in a statement.

"The rules encourage clubs to 'live within their own means,' which is a sound economic principle aiming to guarantee the long-term sustainability and viability of European football."

Petter Andersson scored the only goal with his low strike after 58 minutes.

The win lifted Midtjylland one place and three points above OB in the table to sixth.

After nearest challenger FC Nordsjaelland was held earlier in the round, Copenhagen knew a draw would be sufficient to get it over the line with three games remaining.

Ariel Jacobs' side is now 10 points clear of Nordsjaelland and can start planning for a campaign in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League next season.

The draw was also an important one for Brondby as it took it a point clear of second-bottom AC Horsens, which was defeated 1-0 at Esbjerg thanks to Martin Braithwaite's third-minute effort.

In the day's other game, Randers strengthened its grip on third place with a 1-0 win over AGF Aarhus, Ronnie Schwartz with the goal after 51 minutes.

The home side made a bad start with a fifth-minute own goal from Bruno Godeau but worse was to come five minutes later when Steven Monrose extended Genk's advantage.

Benjamin De Ceulaer then made it 3-0 after 71 minutes with Elyaniv Barda rounding off the scoring five minutes from time.

The win lifts Genk above Anderlecht into second, although the latter will take over top spot with a victory over Standard Liege on Sunday.

Braga, looking to keep the pressure up on third-placed Pacos de Ferreira, had appeared in complete control at half-time as it led 2-0 through goals from Carlao (11th minute) and Santos (45').

However, the the match was turned on its head inside the opening 17 minutes of the second half as Moreirense drew level with goals from Fabio Espinho (50') and Nabil Ghilas (55') and Braga was reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Ruben Micael (62').

At that stage Moreirense must have fancied its chances of pushing on for the win that would have lifted it out of the bottom two, but it ended up empty-handed as Cape Verde striker Ze Luis snatched the points for Braga almost instantly after replacing Carlao with seven minutes left.

"I understand the error of the referee who didn't see the foul by (Thomas) Mueller (on Jordi Alba in the build-up to Bayern Munich's third goal in their 4-0 win against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg)," Platini said during a visit to the northern French city of Lille to check on preparations for the Euro 2016 finals.

"But there were three international standard referees involved and none of them saw it. Something is not right.

"If the referee were on his own, he wouldn't have seen it, and two might not have seen it either but, between three, they have to see it!

"As of next year I have asked the general secretary (of UEFA) to record conversations between officials in matches involving five officials.

"I don't believe that nobody saw the foul. It's not possible. Why was nothing said? I want to know."

Platini did however reiterate his opposition to using video evidence, insisting that the implication of such technology would be too expensive.

Victory would have taken the host level with its opponent and four points behind Bursaspor, who currently holds fourth place, with two games remaining.

But the stalemate did neither team any good and a Bursapor win this weekend against struggling Orduspor will leave it needing just a point from its remaining two games to seal a top-four place.

The visitor led after six minutes through Aiden McGeady but the Republic of Ireland winger then saw red five minutes before the interval.

His dismissal changed the complexion of the match and Andrey Pazin pulled Mordovia level four minutes into the second half before Daniel Oprita added a second after 70 minutes.

Spartak remains in fifth place but just one point ahead of Dinamo Moscow, who has a game in hand.

Mordovia, meanwhile, moves three points clear of basement side Alania Vladikavkaz but still has five points to make up on the relegation play-off places with just three rounds remaining.

The Frenchman revealed planning work, including construction and renovation of the 11 mooted venues, was well ahead of schedule in comparison to last year's hosts Poland and Ukraine at the same stage.

"For UEFA, things are progressing well," he told reporters. "Today there were plenty of green lights, and some that were more amber.

"Four years ago with Poland and Ukraine all the lights were at red.

"I was very happy that the colours this time were different.

"In Ukraine, stadiums were supposed to be finished in 2010 and some of them were completed in March 2012.

"I hope the stadiums in France are ready as quickly as possible."

Lille's new 50,000-seater Grand Stade Metropole, which was completed last year, is one of two stadia already ready for the tournament along with the Stade de France in northern Paris.

President of the organising committee Jacques Lambert said that stadiums in St Etienne and Marseille were halfway through renovation with work on grounds in Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lens and the Parc des Princes in Paris to start soon.

A new stadium in Nice is due to be completed next year while Lyon's 58,000-capacity Stade des Lumieres is scheduled to open for the 2015-16 season.

"There is no situation that is currently out of our control," Lambert said.

It was also announced that a logo for the tournament, which will be expanded to include 24 teams, would be unveiled on June 26.

Several sods of grass were removed from the pitch, forming a symbolic grave, adorned by a tombstone carrying a cross and an inscription of the name of the company that owns the club, Titan, sportal.bg website claimed.

The pitch had already been repaired by Wednesday morning but a picture of the 'grave' circulated on Facebook and other social media, accompanied by a caption 'Five years is enough. Titan = shame'.

CSKA Sofia is one of Bulgaria's most popular clubs. However, the 31-time champion has been hit by serious financial difficulties in recent years, leading to frequent coaching changes and worsening results.

CSKA suffered a bitter 2-1 loss to arch-rival Levski Sofia last weekend and is currently fourth in the league after 24 games.

The unusual protest could be part of a developing trend: fans of Serbian regional league club Macva Sabac, fed up with their club's performance, dug a grave on their team's pitch on Monday.

The two-metre-long shallow grave was also adorned with a cross carrying a gruesome message: 'Second division or this'.

Morten Rasmussen put the host in front after 11 minutes and Sylvester Igboun restored its lead before the break after Thomas Augustinussen's leveller.

But Henrik Dalsgaard made it 2-2 just after the hour mark and substitute Mathias Wichmann got the winner 10 minutes from time.

The win moved fourth-placed AaB to within a point of Randers in third, while Midtjylland remained six points above the drop zone.

The draw moved the capital club 10 points clear of second-placed reigning champion FC Nordsjaelland, which drew 2-2 against Sonderjyske the previous day, with four games of the season remaining.

Elsewhere, struggling AC Horsens and Brondby both boosted their survival hopes with narrow triumphs.

Morten Rasmussen's strike seven minutes before half-time earned second-bottom Horsens a 1-0 home success against third-placed Randers FC, while Brondby hit back from a goal down to prevail 2-1 at Odense BK.

Jens Stryger Larsen's penalty cancelled out Bashkim Kadrii's early opener before Quincy Antipas completed the turnaround three minutes from time.

Levski won the encounter 2-1 but police had to intervene after hooligans went on the rampage, damaging several buses and trams and throwing stones, injuring one young girl in the process.

Police made 20 arrests before the match and then some 40 more inside the ground as searches revealed some fans to be carrying knives and batons.

The interior ministry said a further dozen arrests came afterwards for hooligan behaviour on public transport.

Soren Christensen fired the host in front after 21 minutes but Sonderjyske turned the match on its head with goals either side of half-time from Johan Absalonsen and Lasse Vibe.

Nordsjaelland pulled level after 70 minutes through Morten Nordstrand but it could not find a winner to move nine points behind leader FC Copenhagen, which also has a game in hand, with four rounds remaining.

Sonderjyske would have been happier with the result as it now sit six points above the bottom two.

Inter was fined $57,000 after monkey chants were reported during their clash with Tottenham on March 14.

Benfica copped a $A40,700 fine for the actions of its fans during the game with Bordeaux a week earlier.

Inter has already been hit with a fine for racist chanting by its fans during a Serie A clash against neighbour AC Milan earlier this season.

Former players Mario Balotelli and Sulley Muntari were both subjected to racial abuse, resulting in a $63,600 fine for the Nerazzurri.

Arnor Smarason scored the only goal in the 48th minute for mid-table Esbjerg.

Victory could have taken Silkeborg out of the bottom three, but it instead remains at the foot of the standings on goal difference from Horsens and Brondby, having now played a game more than its nearest rival.

UEFA on Friday announced the bidding guidelines for the tournament, which is being held in 13 different countries across Europe, and said only "token gifts" valued at less than 300 Swiss francs ($300) would be permitted.

England is bidding for the final and semi-finals, with Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland aiming to bid for group games.

The guidelines aim to stop some of the practices that took place during the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

For example, England 2018 paid $50,000 to pick up the tab for the Caribbean Football Union's gala dinner and Qatar 2022 spent $1.5 million sponsoring the Confederation of African Football's congress and Australia 2022 around $450,000 on a grant to the CONCACAF centre of excellence in Trinidad.

UEFA's bidding regulations state: "UEFA member associations are prohibited from offering, making or conferring any gift or benefit (whether direct or indirect) to or upon UEFA or any of its employees, representatives, contractors (including experts), agents or partners during or in connection with the bidding procedure."

The exception is "non-cash gifts having only a token value (not exceeding CHF 300) as a mark of respect and friendship".

The rules add: "Upon any request from UEFA, a UEFA member association must declare and substantiate the value of any gift made or offered during or in connection with the bidding procedure."

Any UEFA official offered a gift or benefit other than a token present is obliged to report the approach.

Cities can bid for either three group matches and a quarter-final, or the semi-finals and final. Bids must be submitted by September 11, bid dossiers submitted by April 25 next year and a decision will take place the following September.

The national anthem is traditionally played before the final but for this year's meeting between Cliftonville and Glentoran it will be dropped from the pre-match build-up at Windsor Park on 4 May.

Cliftonville has a traditionally Catholic fan-base while Glentoran's supporters are mainly from a Protestant background and the decision on the anthem was taken by the Irish FA's Challenge Cup Committee to try to make the match a 'politically-neutral' environment and prevent it from becoming a potential flashpoint.

IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson told the Press Association: "This is not a generic decision but the Challenge Cup committee has made a decision on the national anthem, on this particular occasion, to foster a neutral atmosphere at the game."

The move has been greeted with anger by some Glentoran fans who have criticised the decision on social media sites, claiming it has been taken merely to appease Republicans.

"The Bulgarian football union's disciplinary committee has imposed a fine of 37,500 leva on Levski for swastikas held up by its fans," a statement on the union's website read.

It also called on the club to slap a two-year stadium ban on the authors of the incidents.

During a league game against Litex Lovech on 20 April, fans had held up a banner wishing happy birthday to Hitler - born on that day in 1889 - and another with a swastika adopted by his Nazi party.

Levski, which eventually won the game 2-1, was also fined 5,000 leva ($3,236) after fans threw missiles and firecrackers.

It's not the first time the club, currently second in the league table, has been sanctioned for racism and violence.

In September, European football's governing body UEFA fined it 30,000 euros ($37,978) after its fans shouted racist abuse at Bosnian opponent Sarajevo during a Europa League qualifying match in July.

Olsen struck in the 23rd minute to send the Nordsjaelland fans home happy.

The win means it has closed the gap on league leader FC Copenhagen, which drew with AaB the previous day, to 10 points with five games remaining, while it is now seven clear of third-placed Randers.

Andreas Cornelius missed a late penalty as Copenhagen was held 1-1 by AaB.

The host took the lead through Nicklas Helenius' penalty four minutes before half-time, but Cristian Bolanos levelled three minutes after the break.

Cornelius then saw his penalty saved as AaB hung on for the draw that keeps it in the running for third place.

It has a four-point deficit and a game in hand on third-placed Randers, which took a point from its goalless draw with FC Nordsjaelland.

Brondby came from behind to take a 2-2 draw at home to Silkeborg, moving out of the relegation zone on goal difference at the expense of AC Horsens.

Brondby struck first through Mikkel Thygesen on the half-hour mark, but two goals in five minutes from Kasper Risgaard and Christian Holst turned the game around.

That is how it stayed until Quincy Antipas popped up with a 74th-minute equaliser.

Sonderjyske eased its own worries at the wrong end of the table with a 4-1 thrashing of Odense.

The visitor actually took the lead through Morten Skoubo 11 minutes in, but Tommy Bechmann equalised on the stroke of half-time and second-half goals from Henrik Hansen, Johan Absalonsen and Bechmann again completed the turnaround.

A seventh successive victory would have seen the Amsterdam club move eight points clear of second-placed Vitesse Arnhem, who faces a tough trip to fourth-placed Feyenoord on Sunday (Monday AEST), and it looked on course to do that when Viktor Fischer put it ahead after 26 minutes.

However, in-form Heerenveen, who had won six of its previous seven games, battled back and Alfred Finnbogason's 53rd-minute equaliser earned it a share of the spoils.

All four goals were scored in a frantic opening 26 minutes, with Burak Yilmaz (2') and Drogba (20') putting Gala in charge before Elazigspor halved the deficit through Serdar Gurler's 22nd-minute strike.

Drogba restored Gala's two-goal lead almost immediately, though, and that was the end of the scoring as the UEFA Champions League quarter-finalist recorded its fifth successive league win to provisionally move seven points clear of nearest challenger Fenerbahce.

Rubin looked set to move to within three points of Anzhi after taking a 26th-minute lead through Venezuela striker Jose Salomon Rondon.

However, Amkar substitute Maksim Kanunnikov netted an 83rd-minute equaliser to earn his side a point and leave Rubin having to settle for a fourth draw from its last five Premier League matches.

Juventus said the match, to be played at Real's Santiago Bernabeu stadium on 9 June, will feature Pavel Nedved and Edgar Davids among other former stars of the Turin club.

The statement did not say which Real players, past or present, would participate.

Proceeds will go to the Spanish Red Cross 'Exito Escolar' project, "an initiative which seeks to offer study grants to underprivileged students", according to a statement on Juventus.com.

Hysen opened the scoring after 32 minutes before getting a second 12 minutes after half-time to secure the win as Goteborg replaced Malmo at the head of the league with 10 points from four games.

Helsingborgs moved up to fourth with an emphatic 4-1 win at IFK Norrkoping.

The game was goalless until five minutes before the break but two goals in five minutes from Robin Simovic (40) and Walid Atta on the stroke of half-time gave the visitor a clear lead.

The game was over as a contest when Alejandro Bedoya struck three minutes after the resumption with Mattias Lindstrom getting a fourth on the hour.

Christopher Telo (72) pulled one back but it was a mere consolation.

Defending champion IF Elfsborg claimed its fourth straight stalemate with a 1-1 draw at Kalmar FF.

Pape Diouf put the host ahead just before the hour with Lasse Nilsson equalising after 71 minutes.

Jon Jonsson was sent off for the visitor in the final minute as its poor season continued.

A Kristian Haynes goal after 62 minutes earned Mjallby AIF a 1-0 victory over Gefle IF.

Djurgarden and Brommapojkarna shared a 1-1 draw.

Amadou Jawo put the host ahead (26) before Andreas Eriksson equalised with eight minutes to go.

United had held top spot since business analyst Forbes started compiling the list in 2004 but has been overtaken by the Spanish giant.

Barcelona is in third place and Arsenal fourth ahead of Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid is valued at $3.16 billion, making Los Merengues the most valuable sports franchise in the world.

Manchester United is valued at $3.04 billion.

"This is the first time since Forbes began valuing soccer teams in 2004 that Manchester United is not No.1 on the list," a Forbes statement read.

"Real Madrid has been consistently delivering the highest revenues of any soccer team in the world, despite an intense economic meltdown in Spain. With superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch, and coach Jose Mourinho on the bench, Real Madrid has thrived under the leadership of billionaire president Florentino Perez.

"According to this year's soccer valuations, the top 20 teams are worth an average of $932 million, an increase of 26% over last year.

"Forbes' team values are enterprise values (equity plus debt) that are based on multiples of revenue that teams garner from television, premium seating, media, licensing, merchandise and concessions."

David Beckham still tops the list of highest-earning players with earnings of $48.5 million, of which most came from endorsements.

Real Madrid's Ronaldo is second with earnings of $42.3 million and Barcelona's Lionel Messi in third place with a total of $38.2 million last year from salary and endorsements.

The London side has seen seven trophy opportunities slip by this term after its 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City saw it relinquish its hold on the trophy.

"If you win the Europa League and stay to play Champions League next year of course it's a success," Luiz said.

"Some big teams in Europe don't win titles this year, so of course it's a success."

Chelsea has become accustomed to silverware in the 10-year ownership of Roman Abramovich, but earlier this season suffered the ignominy of becoming the first holder to exit the Champions League at the group stages.

But for the second year running Chelsea is the last British team standing in European competition and faces Basel, conqueror of Tottenham, in the Europa League semi-final first leg in Switzerland next week.

For now the focus is on Wednesday's match with Fulham, with securing a place in the English Premier League top four the main agenda.

Chelsea sits fourth, behind Arsenal, but the Craven Cottage clash is its game in-hand on Tottenham and victory would see the side move four points clear of fifth-placed Tottenhem, which next plays on Sunday.

The still-to-be-confirmed meeting with Tottenham - rearranged due to the City semi-final - could conceivably be a play-off for the Champions League.

Chelsea belatedly showed its potential at Wembley in a second-half resurgence and will need to be on top form in the remaining weeks of the season to achieve its goals.

The Wembley fightback, after defeat in Moscow to Rubin Kazan, also showed how Chelsea must add depth to its squad to challenge across all competitions next term.

Luiz was focused on the present, rather than the future, though.

"This is Chelsea," Luiz said.

"When Chelsea want to play football they're just so good.

"We have a difficult competition. This season we want to win everything.

"Now we cannot win the league, but we can stay in the best position and we can win another European title. Work for that.

"The next season is the next season. The future."

Chelsea lost the Capital One Cup semi-final to Swansea over two legs and now the FA Cup, with the Europa League a third opportunity.

The perception might be that Chelsea loses big games, but Cesar Azpilicueta preferred to look at what is now at stake in the final weeks of the season.

He said: "It's not normal for Chelsea, but it's the reality. Now we need to be focused on the future.

"We have the semi-final of the Europa League that we can win and fight for the Champions League place.

"At the end of the season we will look at the balance of the season, but now it's one month of competition.

"It's the last month and the best games. We played one semi-final, now we're going to play the Europa League semi-final. We're fighting for third place and the Champions League.

"Now we need to be focused and not think about that because it doesn't matter. We need to win and it doesn't matter the way to do it.

"It's very important always to win trophies. We wanted to win all the trophies we had at the start of the season. Now the only trophy that we can win is the Europa League and we're going to try to win it."

A trophy is desirable, but Azpilicueta knows the priority must be securing a top-four place. The consequences of missing out on Champions League football for Chelsea are unthinkable.

He said: "We have one month. Champions League is massive for us for next season. We're going to try to get in."

Ragnar Sigurdsson gave Copenhagen the lead just five minutes into the match but only two minutes later, Patrick Mtiliga levelled for the host.

Nordsjaelland then took the lead through Morten Nordstrand in the 26th minute and that held until midway through the second half.

However, substitute Igor Vetokele equalised in the 66th minute and 10 minutes later Andreas Cornelius gave Copenhagen the lead for good.

Soren Frederiksen gave the visitor the early lead with two goals before the 37th minute but, two minutes later, Emil Larsen forced OB back into contention.

Marcus Pedersen levelled the tie in the 49th minute with Rasmus Wurtz's dismissal putting AaB on the back foot almost immediately.

But visiting forward Nicklas Helenius made it 3-2 in the 65th minute, only for Espen Ruud to level with a 70th-minute penalty, before Kenneth Emil Petersen settled the tie three minutes from time.

Aalborg is now three points shy of Randers, which lost 4-0 at mid-table Esbjerg.

The Horses had no response as goals from Yussef Toutouh (33), Arnor Smarason (52), Martin Braithwaite (55) and Arnor Smarason (81) fired Esbjerg into sixth place.

Elsewhere, Sonderjyske pulled three points clear of the relegation zone by winning 3-0 at Brondby.

Brondby held out until the 48th minute, which saw Tommy Bechmann open the scoring, and further strikes from Lasse Vibe (76) and substitute Andreas Oggesen (90) confirmed the visitor's ascent to ninth place.

With the bottom of the table so congested, Johnny Molby's side could have moved slightly away from trouble with a win but was never ahead.

Rilwan Hassan put the home side in front (nine) and even though Troels Klove scored three minutes later, Morten Rasumssen restored the lead inside 60 seconds.

Sylvester Igboun Emeka would soon make it 3-1 and then Rasmussen topped it up to four, leaving Martin Spellman's late penalty a consolation.

Even then there was time for Danny Olsen to score an 88th-minute penalty for the home side.

Goals from Paul-Jose M'Poku (62'), Antonio Kanu (65') and Imoh Ezekiel (79') secured an improbable 4-3 success that revives Standard's own title ambitions.

The visitor had fallen 3-1 down despite William Vainqueur cancelling out a fourth-minute M'Baye Leye opener.

Zulte-Waregem regained its advantage before half-time thanks to a Jelle Van Damme own goal before it appeared set for a win to move it top when Bruno Godeau netted on 54 minutes.

That only prompted Standard's fightback which leaves it three points behind leader Anderlecht, who hosts Club Brugge, with Zulte-Waregem a point better off.

Zulte-Waregem's night was further soured by the 86th-minute dismissal of Leye.

Ramazan Kose's 77th-minute own goal prevented the visitor from ending a run of two draws after it had led through Ermin Zec's 16th-minute opener.

Orduspor remained in the bottom three with a 1-0 loss at Trabzonspor. Substitute Halil Altintop scored the game's only goal 19 minutes from the end.

The point moves CSKA nine clear before closest challenger Zenit St Petersburg heads to Lokomotiv Moscow.

The point will be slightly more satisfactory to Dinamo, who remains in a tight battle for the Europa League spots. It sits fifth, in the final European place, with sixth-placed Kuban Krasnodar away to Terek Grozny.

The top three were unchanged with world champion Spain at number one followed by Germany and Brazil's arch South American foe, Argentina.

Croatia owes its sharp climb largely to their recent 2-0 "derby" win over Serbia to sit above Portugal (+2), Colombia, England, Italy (-3), Holland (-1) and Ecuador (+1), who complete the top 10.

Brazil, on a diet of friendlies ahead of staging next year's World Cup, registered a brace of draws in March - 1-1 against Russia and 2-2 with Italy - before seeing off Bolivia 4-0.

The South American giant - five-time winner of football's biggest prize - dropped in the rankings because FIFA's list awards more points for qualifying matches than friendlies.

England dropped three places to seventh after the 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw in Montenegro, which came after an 8-0 victory against minnow San Marino.

Wales leapt an astonishing 22 places from 71st to 49th, with their 2-1 win in Scotland followed by a 2-1 defeat in Croatia.

Australia dropped seven spots to 46th as the third-ranked Asian team behind Japan (26) and Korea Republic (42).

Cote d'Ivoire is the highest-ranked African team, moving up a place to 12th.

The Senegal international has scored in four of his past six games to take his tally for the campaign to 12 but, with chances starting to arrive in greater numbers, he is confident of improving on his series of single, if often decisive, strikes.

Cisse said: "Absolutely. I have been getting a lot of chances, I have been lucky enough to score one in matches and I think this will improve my mentality and improve my concentration.

"If I keep working hard, hopefully I will be able to come out with a brace or a hat-trick."

Cisse and his team-mates headed into arguably the biggest week of their season to date on the back of a 1-0 English Premier League victory over Fulham, which arrived courtesy of the frontman's injury-time winner.

They face derby rival Sunderland at St James' Park on Sunday (local time) in a game which could either ease them clear of the fight for top-flight survival, or plunge them back into the relegation picture.

That, coupled with Thursday night's (local time) European showdown, represents a key four-day spell for the Magpies, but it is one they are relishing.

Cisse said: "It's exciting, really exciting for us. Of course there is pressure, that's absolutely normal and understandable, but players just want to get out there and play.

"That's our job, that's what we do and it's really a pleasure to be able to get out there and do that."

Hatem Ben Arfa may get the chance to do just that despite having been ruled out for the season with a persistent hamstring problem.

Manager Alan Pardew revealed that the mercurial France international has made a remarkable recovery and will be involved in the squad.

Pardew said: "We were conservative in or approach when he re-injured his hamstring - when I say re-injured, he didn't really re-injure it, he wasn't confident about it.

"We just said, 'That's him done this season', and I think it was a good mindset for him to prove us wrong.

"He has come back with a different mindset, and his mindset is that it feels much stronger in the hamstring.

"The scans show that the hamstring, although not fully repaired - and with the type of injury he has had, it probably won't be for another seven or eight weeks - the confidence is in his head that it's done, that he's okay, and that is important.

"He could be an influential figure between now and the end of the year, and influential even tomorrow. He has shown good form in training for two or three days.

"He has looked much better, much stronger than when he came back before. There was definitely a doubt in his mind about the strength of the hamstring, and with hamstring injuries sometimes, it is how confident you feel.

"He definitely looks and feels ready this time."

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino confirmed the European body is to double its sanction from next season and that all national associations are to be asked to follow suit.

In the two high-profile cases of racist abuse by players in England, John Terry was banned for four matches and Luis Suarez for eight games and Infantino confirmed that UEFA now believed those sanctions were not tough enough.

Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, Infantino told reporters: "We are saying that it should be 10 matches - it has been five matches and we will double it.

"We will also submit to the whole of UEFA's member associations asking that all our members employ the same measures as well at national level.

"The fight against racism is something that's very serious and we have to make sure that there is correct action and not just words."

The UEFA chief also said there would be partial closure of stadiums for a first incident of racist abuse by fans and a full closure for a second offence.

The UEFA sanctions will affect all matches in European competition from the start of next season.

Infantino added: "We have to have sanctions and they must have a deterrent effect and what we are proposing is if a player or official is convicted of racism they should receive a 10-match suspension at least.

"If supporters at a club are found guilty of racist abuse the first sanction will be a partial closure of the part of the stadium from which the racist abuse took place.

"For a second offence there will be the full closure and a minimum fine of 50,000 euros."

Piara Powar, executive director of European anti-discrimination group FARE, welcomed the announcement.

He told the Press Association: "These sanctions are very clear and they leave no room for doubt.

"In England we had a big furore with Terry and Suarez and the management of both of those cases. If UEFA say this for us is the standard sanction and we expect the national associations to follow suit it takes out all of the issues with Suarez supposedly getting a longer sanction because he's a foreigner and Terry supposedly getting a lesser sanction because he's England captain.

"They address the problems that UEFA and national associations have had, which is piecemeal sanctions.

"The problem now is how does the education match the sanctions policy? The last thing is for clubs and fans not to know what they are getting sanctioned for.

"That is why we are in talks with UEFA about an additional sanction of a mandatory demonstration by the guilty club to show what they are doing in terms of education."

The home side now sits level on points with second-bottom AC Horsens, with a marginal better goal difference.

Lasse Vibe gave it the lead before Hans Henrik Andreasen levelled from the penalty spot. Florian Hart restored Sonderjyske's advantage seven minutes after half-time and Peter Ankersen's own goal rounded out the scoring.

They are Gaetan Spiteri of Hamrun Spartans, Julian Briffa of Mqabba and brothers Jermain and Chris Brincat of Floriana.

Briffa could be given a partial amnesty by the association for his co-operation with the country's Football Association.

The decision was announced at an MFA council meeting on Monday. The matches in question were Malta league games played in 2012.

The players have three days to announce their intentions to appeal.

Last year, Malta national team member Kevin Sammut was banned for life by UEFA for helping to fix a UEFA European Championship qualifier against Norway in 2007.

Sammut has an appeal pending with the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Angry fans at Djurgarden's home stadium in Stockholm threw bottles, coins, fruit and other objects onto the pitch as Mjallby's players celebrated a goal in the 37th minute.

Television footage showed Mjallby defender Gbenga Arokoyo falling to the ground after an object hit him in the stomach. Swedish broadcaster SVT said it was a pear.

The referee and his assistants decided to abandon the game after a meeting with police and representatives from both clubs. It wasn't immediately clear when and if the match would be resumed.

Arokoyo said after the game he was in pain but not seriously injured.

Lasse Petry Andersen opened the scoring in the 36th minute with Morten Nordstrand wrapping up the points and a fourth straight league win 18 minutes from time.

Nordsjaelland now trails FC Copenhagen, which rescued a 1-1 home draw with Odense BK, by seven points ahead of a top-two clash in Farum.

Espen Ruud gave Odense the lead in the 38th minute at Parken but Pierre Bengtsson spared Copenhagen's blushes with an equaliser five minutes after the break.

Elsewhere, Brondby pulled three points clear of the relegation zone as Simon Christoffersen (59) scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Randers FC.

The host was up against it from the third minute when Igboun Emeka broke the deadlock and Rilwan Hassan's strike two minutes from time made sure of the points.

Defeat leaves Sonderjyske in the bottom two with eight matches remaining, while Midtjylland is now seven points above the drop zone.

Hans Henrik Andreasen scored the winning goal seven minutes from time as Esbjerg moved eight points clear of the relegation zone after picking up its fourth win in a five-match unbeaten run.

The promoted outfit is now also just one place and one point below AGF, whose defeat means it has now lost five of the last six matches.

Thomas Augustinussen's sixth-minute own goal was enough to move Nordsjaelland nine points behind leader FC Copenhagen.

The capital club slipped up 1-0 at last-placed Silkeborg earlier in the week, but while it must still travel to Nordsjaelland on 15 April, it remains in the driving seat with five matches remaining.

Marvin Pourie's 79th-minute effort was enough to see off the champion elect, but it looked like Copenhagen's 15-point advantage at the top of the table would stay in tact when Petter Andersson gave Midtjylland a third-minute lead.

However, Morten Nordstrand equalised seven minutes later before Uffe Bech (47) and Jores Okore (72) secured the win.

Only two goals separate Brondby from the relegation zone despite its 3-2 win over AGF Aarhus.

Arthur Sorin put the visitor two goals up before a brace from Martin Albrechtsen - the latter coming three minutes from time - before Simon Christoffersen sealed the win in the 89th minute.

Elsewhere Esbjerg beat AaB 1-0 thanks to a Sebastian Andersen strike.

Jonas Borring scored both goals for the visitor, the first arriving midway through the first half and the second in injury-time at the end of the contest.

The result meant Randers went a point clear of Nordsjaelland and closed the gap on leader FC Copenhagen to 13 points.

Odense moved into fourth with a 2-0 win over Horsens, Bashkim Kadrii (45) and Darko Bodul (56) with the goals.

CSKA, who leads second-placed Anzhi Makhachkala by seven points and reigning champion Zenit by eight, will be without Keisuke Honda for Monday's game, the Japanese playmaker still on his way to a complete recovery.

Meanwhile, the Red Army side's Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia has finally overcome his back injury and will likely fly with CSKA to Vladikavkaz.

"All the team players except Honda and (Chilean international) Mark Gonzalez are training in the main group," CSKA team doctor Shagabutdin Kerimov said.

"We expect Gonzalez to join the main group training in the beginning of April after a rehabilitation course."

CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky meanwhile said that it was too difficult to predict the date of Honda's return.

"He (Honda) is still suffering complications after the 'flu. He is undergoing all possible treatment but it's impossible to forecast his return date. Not only for me but for the medics also."

Big-spender Anzhi faces a trip to 10th-placed FC Krasnodar on Sunday, and the home side's goalkeeper, Alexander Filtsov, was in no doubt over its abilities.

"Anzhi is a club with a set of world-class players in its line-up," Filtsov said.

"The match against them in front of our home crowd is a good stimulus for us and a chance to afford pleasure to our supporters. And we are all set to do our best to beat them."

Anzhi will likely field a full-strength line at Krasnodar as all of its international players have returned to training with the club's injury list empty.

Defending champion Zenit will battle with the eighth-placed Terek Grozny on neutral territory in Makhachkala, the capital of the neighbouring republic of Dagestan and the home city of Anzhi.

Terek was ordered to play one of its home matches at the neutral venue after Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who is also the club's boss, taunted the referee of Terek's previous Russian league match with Rubin Kazan over the stadium's loudspeaker system.

The clash with Terek will show whether Zenit, who has endured a rocky campaign this season as it was eliminated early from the UEFA Champions League and later from the Europa league, has embarked on the road of recovery.

A points loss at Makhachkala could cost Zenit its title as the Saint Petersburg outfit now need not only to win all of its remaining matches but also hope for slip ups of its main rivals CSKA and Anzhi.

Meanwhile, nine-time champion Spartak Moscow, who is currently fourth, five points behind Zenit, is also dreaming of a top-three finish. Russia's most decorated club takes on another side from Krasnodar, Kuban, on the synthetic pitch of the Luzhniki stadium.

The team from Olhao in the south of the country has not paid their players for four months, according to the president of the Players' Union.

And if they do not receive at least one month in back pay, the players will refuse to take to the field against leader Benfica on April 7.

"A notice of the intention to strike has been lodged to force the club to pay at least a month's salary," Joaquim Evangelista told TSF radio station.

"It is high time Portuguese football solved this problem once and for all."

Evangelista, who blasted the country's clubs for their "financial irresponsibility", said Olhanense has until next Friday to cough up the wages to avert strike action.

Olhanense is second last in the top flight and in danger of being relegated.

A number of England supporters joined in the singing of a song suggesting the brothers should be burned on a bonfire. It has been suggested the song had racist overtones because Anton Ferdinand was the target of racist abuse from former England captain John Terry.

Rio Ferdinand was vilified by fans after withdrawing from the England squad to play the game because it did not fit in with his "intricate" and "pre-planned" training programme, although he then travelled to Qatar to commentate on England's 8-0 victory.

FARE's executive director Piara Powar told the Press Association: "Although we did not have observers at the match we have pulled together evidence sent to us including media comment and have passed that on to FIFA.

"I think that it's one of those things that is very subtle. We would say racism and other forms of discrimination is not always banana throwing and monkey chants. It can be very subtle and the people collating the reports believed it is strong enough to send on to FIFA.

"From the reports we have seen I personally think there was an undercurrent of race there, and other people have thought that it has been imbued with racist overtones.

"Whether FIFA think that is strong enough to take action is another question entirely and we accept that it is certainly an unusual report."

FARE has also reported racist or xenophobic incidents at the Croatia v Serbia and Poland v Ukraine matches.

A Football Association spokesman claimed the organisation has received no official notification of any complaint.

Vilanova has spent the past two months in New York undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgery on his parotid gland in December.

The 44-year-old had suffered a relapse after first having a tumour removed from his throat in November 2011.

Reports in Spain suggested he would meet with the first-team squad before the match with second-bottom Celta, although matchday responsibilities will remain with his assistant Jordi Roura.

Vilanova's mere presence is sure to provide a fillip for the players as they embark on another important week, with the trip north west followed by Tuesday's UEFA Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.

"I'm very pleased with his return," said young winger Cristian Tello.

"We need him. He'll ease in to his time with the team. The important thing is that he recovers well.

"His absence has been noticeable because the presence of the head coach is always very important."

Barca will definitely be without Pedro on Saturday - the forward sustained a calf injury not long after scoring the only goal for Spain against France on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT), while Xavi is doubtful because of a hamstring problem.

Due to the international break, Barca's closest challenger Real Madrid has had to endure a fortnight of further speculation surrounding the future of boss Jose Mourinho.

Some reports in England have suggested the Portuguese is close to agreeing a return to Chelsea, while Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed he remains in touch with a man who led the Nerazzurri to an unprecedented treble in 2010.

Mourinho's immediate focus is seeing out the season with Madrid and landing the club a record 10th UEFA Champions League title.

Madrid is 13 points adrift of Barca in the league and midfielder Xabi Alonso admits continental matters are now dominating the players' minds, starting with the first leg of their quarter-final against Galatasaray on Wednesday.

"Nearly all of the fans have told me that we have to go all out to win the Champions League, everyone wants us to win it," said Alonso.

"All Madridistas really want to see the team conquer Europe, they want to see us go all the way and reach the final. But we have a few tough steps to get through for that to happen - the first one is next Wednesday, at our stadium.

"We want to get a good result at home, I am sure that it will be a great game with a great atmosphere."

On Saturday, Madrid visit a Real Zaragoza side a point above the relegation zone with Alonso admitting it could be a tricky encounter.

"Zaragoza are having problems, they are on a bad run," he said.

"Any trip to any stadium is difficult and I do not think that this will be easy."

Madrid's city rivals Atletico will hope to capitalise on any slip-up when it hosts Valencia on Sunday, while fourth-placed Real Sociedad will hopes to extend its remarkable record of one defeat in 18 league games when it goes to Espanyol.

At the bottom, there is a six-way scrap to remain in the top flight.

And with Celta Vigo and Zaragoza facing the top two it may provide a chink of light to the others.

Rock-bottom Deportivo La Coruna was given renewed hope by its win over Celta last time out and has the chance to build on that victory when it visits third-bottom Real Mallorca.

Osasuna and Granada are the other clubs in trouble. Osasuna, in 16th, goes to Real Valladolid and Granada visits Athletic on Monday.

Monday's other game sees Real Betis host Getafe while, on Saturday, Rayo Vallecano hosts Malaga and Sevilla travels to Levante.

The Professional Football Strategy Council, (PFSC) an umbrella group comprising UEFA associations, European leagues, clubs and players' representatives, unanimously agreed to call for stricter sanctions at a meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Clubs and associations whose fans or players are found guilty of racist behaviour will also have to prove what actions they are taking to tackle such discrimination in the future.

A statement by the PFSC read: "Recognises that many countries have taken significant and successful action but that such incidents remain widespread on our continent.

"Calls on UEFA, national associations and leagues to legislate for stricter sanctions for racism.

"Calls on disciplinary bodies to apply such stricter sanctions for cases of proven racism and to seek ways of obliging those sanctioned to take future preventative action."

Coleman saw his side's 2014 FIFA World Cup aspirations all but ended by a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in Swansea, leaving it 10 points adrift of the Group A summit with just 12 points up for grabs.

After a testing start in the role after succeeding Gary Speed in the most difficult of circumstances, Coleman has found his feet and there have been encouraging signs since the watershed of September's humiliating 6-1 defeat in Serbia.

The Football Association of Wales has been pleased with the improvement in fortunes overseen by the former Fulham boss in recent months, and the squad is keen for him to be retained beyond the end of his existing contract, which runs through to the World Cup.

Coleman has previously stated he would like to remain in the role as he looks to help Wales secure a healthy seeding for the Euro 2016 qualification process.

But when asked if he felt he would be in charge of that campaign, he was not so committal.

He said: "I have no idea if I will be in charge, but I have never once said I had plans to not be here.

"I think we can do something exciting with the players we have, but I still get frustrated because for the next four months there is no game and I struggle with that.

"I will be watching some football at the weekend but I will not be involved.

"I have loved the last 10 days in camp with the players, but now there is nothing for three or four months and I am not sure I will ever get to grips with that to be honest."

He added: "I am not saying I want to walk out, I have not thought about it. The only thing to think about now is that we won't qualify for the World Cup, but can we finish third?

"We have four games left in this campaign and I will speak with the powers-that-be on what they have planned and what I have planned and we will see, but I have not thought about it."

But should Coleman not be offered an extension of his Wales contract, he will not remain in the British game.

Coleman, who has previously managed Real Sociedad in Spain and Larissa in Greece, said: "My next job after Wales will not be in Britain. I like working abroad, I learned more in Spain and Greece tactically because they think differently, I have no aspirations to join a British club.

"If after this campaign I am not the Welsh manager - and I am not saying I don't want to be - I would want to move abroad again as I enjoyed my time there.

"I have been in charge for 14 months, but I have had one or two opportunities to work abroad but I would never do it. I would never jump ship, this is my country."

Captain Ashley Williams believes it would be "stupid" not to retain Coleman's services.

Williams said: "We definitely want him to stay, obviously I've been saying for a long time that he is doing a great job.

"He came in and took the job in unbelievably tough circumstances, but I think you can see it's getting back to where it was under Gary Speed.

"The last two camps with him have been brilliant, I think that's really pleasing and it would be stupid to change the manager, no one would say they want to see a change."

The midfielder admits it is "not ideal" that England was been held to 1-1 draws by Ukraine, Poland and, most recently, group leader Montenegro.

Its only victories in the group have come against minnows San Marino (twice) and Moldova.

But Carrick insists England is still reasonably placed to go through to the 2014 finals despite failing toy build on Wayne Rooney's opener in both Warsaw and Podgorica.

He said: "It is not the end of the world because it is not a bad point but we came to probably get a better result so we are slightly disappointed in that respect.

"It is similar to the game in Poland, in going ahead and doing all right and then finding ourselves defending for longer spells than we should do really.

"Whether it's a mental thing and things change when you get something to hold on to.

"They are tough places to come and when you are in front, sometimes you can change a bit. But it shouldn't happen because we should be doing the right things.

"We probably started to play again after the equaliser and started having chances again. In that respect, we've let it slip but it's not such a bad point."

In terms of not overcoming its main challengers, Carrick said: "It is not ideal because we want to be taking points off the teams who are our main rivals.

"But all in all, we are not in a bad position so we are not getting too down.

"It's not ideal because we want to be top but all said and done, it's up to us to get the results to make it happen.

"We believe in ourselves, and believe we've got a good chance to go through, but having said that, it's four huge games."

England entertains Moldova, Montenegro and Poland and must visit Ukraine, where it was beaten in 2009, in its final four matches.

Carrick said: "If we do win all the games, then we are there but it's too easy to say that and there are tough games in this group.

"We still have to go to Ukraine as well, which will be tough, and we are not taking anything for granted just yet.

"We will just look at the next batch of games. You can't look too far ahead.

"I know there are only four games left but there are so many things that can happen."

Carrick will now return to Manchester United for Saturday's English Premier League match at Sunderland and Monday's FA Cup replay at Chelsea.

He said: "It is going to be a hectic few days but that is what is in front of us and we will have to deal with it.

"It's two massive games for us. There is so much at stake, there always is."

The 29-year-old Netherlands striker says the fact United has a track record in valuing older players such as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes may persuade him to see out his playing days at Old Trafford too.

Van Persie told Dutch magazine Voetbal International: "For the next few years I will be at Manchester United - and maybe longer. United could be my last club."

The former Arsenal striker's current United contract will end when he is 33 but with 39-year-old Giggs and Scholes, 38, for inspiration, the striker may be tempted to extend his time at the club.

"You have a number of clubs in Europe where older players can find it good, where they are valued. You used to have that at Juventus and AC Milan, Manchester United today is a good example. So who knows how long I will stay at the club," he added.

"There is a new challenge for me every day at United. My development is an ongoing process. That gets an extra boost when you are surrounded by new coaches and team-mates, all with their own ideas, in a totally new environment."

Van Persie scored twice for Netherlands against Romania to overtake Johan Cruyff's international goal tally. Cruyff scored 33 goals in 48 appearances of a curtailed international career and van Persie is now on 34 goals from 74 caps.

Van Persie is second in the English Premier League scoring charts this season with 19 goals, three behind Liverpool's Luis Suarez, and United will be hoping his international form will see him pick up domestically after a spell of just one goal in 10 matches for the club.

Jean-Louis Dupont, who was part of the legal team that won the landmark Bosman ruling in the 1990s and who led the case that forced FIFA and UEFA to compensate clubs for players on international duty, claims financial fair play (FFP) will breach European competition law.

Dupont admits the European Commission has agreed to FFP but says the European Court of Justice may take a different view.

UEFA insists however that FFP will stimulate competition.

A UEFA spokesman said: "UEFA is aware, that there are large differences between the comparative wealth of different clubs and countries, but financial fair play does not have financial equality as its objective.

"However, more investors should be attracted if club football is more sustainable and those clubs with sustainable and stable business models will be in a position to become more competitive."

Dupont, writing a column in the Wall Street Journal, said: "Some of Europe's biggest clubs are, unsurprisingly, the loudest supporters of rules that entrench their dominance. The time is right for a strong reminder from the EU's anti-trust authorities that football, like any other multibillion-euro industry, must comply with the law.

"As an agreement whereby industry participants jointly decide to limit investments, FFP likely constitutes collusion and hence a violation of EU competition law. FFP may also infringe other EU freedoms such as the free movement of workers and services.

"Even if FFP were sufficiently legitimate and necessary to justify its distortions of EU principles, however, it would still have to clear a final hurdle: proportionality. UEFA would need to convince the EU's judges in Luxembourg that FFP is the least restrictive means of achieving its aims. This seems unlikely."

Dupont argues that UEFA could improve the financial balance of football by imposing a "luxury tax" on high-spending clubs but believes that would be blocked by the big clubs with the most political clout.

The Romanian has been at the club since 2004, winning the league six times as well as the UEFA Cup in 2009.

Lucescu's contract was due to expire at the end of the season and the 67-year-old had been linked with a return to coaching in Italy, where he was previously in charge of Inter Milan.

However Shakhtar has tied him down to a new deal, much to the delight of club president Rinat Akhmetov.

"When we talked about a contract, the issue of money was not an issue because it's not important for me nor for Mr Lucescu," he told the official Shakhtar website.

"I was interested in only one major thing: whether this team has reached the maximum, or it can take a step forward? Mister told me simply: "I love our fans. I love our players. I believe in my assistants.

"I am confident that together with the club, joining efforts, we are able to conquer new heights."

The club is currently 15 points clear of rival Metalist at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League table.

The Dutch have enjoyed a flawless start to their Group D campaign, with victories over Turkey, Hungary, Andorra and Romania in their opening four fixtures.

Van Gaal's men are three points clear at the top of the standings and will face off against an Estonia side that has lost three of its four matches, with its sole victory over group minnow Andorra.

But former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Van Gaal is refusing to believe the eastern Europeans will be a pushover.

"The expectations will be high, the audience will probably have a score of 5-0 in their head," he told a press conference.

"But that is just more difficult, especially given that the system Estonia play, with two rows of four and just one striker."

Van Gaal is likely to include Wesley Sneijder in his starting XI after the playmaker missed the past four games owing to injury and lack of match fitness, having been frozen out by former club Inter Milan.

The 28-year-old's move to Turkish outfit Galatasaray in January has given him a new lease of life and his return will be a welcome one.

The group leader is without Tim Krul because of an ankle problem and Klaas Jan Huntelaar (knee) although Maarten Stekelenburg is the probable option between the posts after missing the past two matches with an injury.

Hungary and Romania, both on nine points, are contesting a play-off spot although they will be hoping to keep the pressure on the Dutch when they clash at an empty Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport last week rejected an appeal from the Hungarian Football Federation against having to play against Romania behind closed doors for racist behaviour by fans.

FIFA's disciplinary committee found a group of Hungary supporters had chanted anti-Semitic abuse and displayed offensive symbols in their friendly against Israel in Budapest last August.

Hungary boss Sandor Egervari is in confident mood despite the fact the side has been denied home support.

"Of course, we expect to win this 'six-point' game, especially because we meet a rival, which is also a chance to better our chances of finishing first or second in the group," he said at a press conference.

Friday's (Saturday AEDT) final group match sees Turkey travel to Andorra and visiting coach Abdullah Avci insists his side will not be underestimating the threat posed by the host.

Andorra has won just one competitive match - against Macedonia at home in a 2006 World Cup qualifier - but Avci is not taking victory for granted.

"A Turkish national football team will follow the opponent extremely seriously," he said.

A League Football Education (LFE) seminar, held at St George's Park earlier this week, heard some stark statistics.

Of all the youngsters who join professional clubs as 16-year-olds, 60 per cent are out of the game by the time they hit 18.

In an era of massive youth unemployment, the alarming figure takes on extra meaning, especially as only 12 per cent of those released go on to further forms of education.

"Clubs need to give a balanced education," said Ehiogu, the former Aston Villa defender, who now works as a youth coach at Tottenham Hotspur and attended this week's event as a mentor to young players.

"The aim should be to produce people who can play football, who have a balanced outlook at the life skills to deal with the different situations they may find themselves in.

"In some instances, a boy might have been at a club since they were eight years of age. By the time he reaches 18, he has come to think of himself as a football player for that particular club.

"It can come as a big shock to discover you are no longer needed.

"I grew up with lads who had more ability than me but, for one reason or another, never made the grade professionally.

"You need the skills to be able to cope with that."

LFE and The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust have combined to produce the Create Your Legacy challenge for around 1,000 footballers from 70 professional clubs and other elite athletes to prepare for life after sport.

Holmes and former Republic of Ireland star Matt Holland were other contributors to a forum Ehiogu believes is even more vital now there is so much money sloshing around in the higher elements of the game.

"When people think of football these days, they tend to think of the top few percent, who get the big salaries that will carry them through for the remainder of their lives," he said.

"It is important to remember that is not representative of the game as a whole.

"There are far more young people out there who have to rebuild their lives after having their dreams shattered.

"It is imperative they have the emotional and practical tools to cope.

"There may be some who don't wish to listen. However, if the awareness is there, it gives them more chance of moving forward in a positive manner."

Kadyrov, who is the club's president as well as the leader of the troubled Russian republic, reacted angrily to referee Mikhail Vilkov's dismissal of Terek captain Rizvan Utsiev during Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Rubin Kazan.

The local leader took control of the Grozny arena's public address system to shout: "The referee is corrupt. You jerk!"

That brought a fine of 200,000 roubles ($6,457) from the Russian Football Union (RFU) as well as the stadium ban, which will see Terek play its next home match against Zenit St Petersburg on March 31 at a neutral venue.

Kadyrov has since stoked up tensions rather than trying to smooth things over.

On Monday, the ruler of the restive southern province admitted he had failed to control his anger but proceeded to blast the official even more.

"The game was just awful because of the biased referee," Kadyrov wrote on his Instagram page.

"The groundless second yellow card for Utsiev and an obvious penalty kick that we were not awarded - he did everything to change the result of the game.

"I believe a thorough investigation of the referee's actions should be lauched.

"I apologise to the whole football world for what I said in the heat of the moment. But not to the referee, he deserved to be called corrupt."

The veteran Englishman, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in January on a short-term deal until the end of the season, is nearing the end of his playing career but still comes in ahead of world player of the year Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

France Football reports Beckham will earn $45.2 million in 2012-13, leaving him just ahead of four-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

Beckham, who left the Los Angeles Galaxy in December, is reported to have earned an annual salary of $2.13 million with his income supplemented by bonuses and some $41 million from other sources, including advertising deals.

The 37-year-old Beckham revealed after signing for PSG that all money due to him from his contract with the French giant would be donated to charity.

In contrast, Messi's income of $43.8 euros includes $16.3 million in salary and bonuses, with the remainder coming from advertising and other sources.

Ronaldo comes in third, with total income reaching $37.5 million, including $16.9 million from salary and bonuses.

The magazine also reported that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is the best-paid coach in the world game, earning $17.5 million a year.

Nordsjaelland's trip to Aalborg was called off after just 18 minutes due to heavy snow but Randers striker Ronnie Schwartz needed only seven minutes to fire the winner over basement boy Silkeborg.

Viggo Jensen's side now props up the table courtesy of Brondby's escape from the bottom two, a feat made possible thanks to a point earned from a 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland.

Brondby might even have claimed all three points had Mads Albaek not cancelled out Quincy Antipas' 41st-minute opener four minutes after the break.

Elsewhere, Aarhus claimed a first home win since September in downing mid-table rival Odense 2-1 at Atletion.

AGF would have to come from behind to win, though, when Emil Larsen opening the scoring after six minutes. Anders Kure responded two minutes later and Osama Akharraz fired the winner in the 72nd minute.

However, the home side did not have it all its own way at Parken Stadium, conceding an 18th-minute goal to Charles Takyi before Cesar Santin levelled 12 minutes later.

It then needed a last-minute strike from Claudemir to secure the win which takes it 17 points clear at the top of the table with 10 matches left.

Horsens remains five points above the bottom two, having played a game more than the teams around it.

Both players are back in form after recovering from injury. Sneijder spent months on the sidelines and was then in dispute with his club before moving from Inter Milan to Galatasaray in Turkey.

Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena is the only uncapped player selected in coach Louis van Gaal's 23-man squad.

Netherlands, World Cup runner-up in 2010, has won all four of its qualifiers and tops Group D. The team plays Estonia next Friday and Romania on March 26. Both matches are at Amsterdam Arena.

The 27-year-old Wolfsburg winger was selected in the Portuguese squad to play Israel on March 22 and Azerbaijan four days later.

Coach Paulo Bento also recalled Benfica midfielder Carlos Martins and Olympiakos striker Paulo Machado. FC Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho was selected despite his bruised thigh.

Portugal is joint second with Israel in Group F, five points behind leader Russia after four games. It has two wins, a draw and a loss.

Portugal

Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Eduardo (Istanbul BB), Beto (Sevilla).

Defenders: Joao Pereira (Valencia), Bruno Alves (Zenit St. Petersburg), Henrique Sereno (Valladolid), Luis Neto (Zenit St. Petersburg), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Silvio (Deportivo La Coruna), Pepe (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Carlos Custodio (Braga), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Joao Moutinho (FC Porto).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Silvestre Varela (FC Porto), Helder Postiga (Real Zaragoza), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Danny (Zenit St. Petersburg), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Pizzi (Deportivo la Coruna), Paulo Machado (Olympiakos).

Andre Villas-Boas's Spurs, who survived a massive scare in the second leg of their round of 16 tie with Inter Milan before going through on away goals, were drawn to meet Switzerland's FC Basel.

The first leg will take place at White Hart Lane on 5 April (AEST) and the return on 12 April.

Two other English clubs left in the competition, Chelsea and Newcastle United, face tricky opponents.

European champion Chelsea, which failed to survive the group phase of the UEFA Champions League, faces a hard task against Russia's Rubin Kazan, with the first leg to be played at Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle faces experienced Benfica of Portugal, with the first leg to be played at the Estadio da Luz.

The remaining tie features Fenerbahce of Turkey and Lazio of Italy, with the first leg to be staged in Istanbul.

The draw for the semi-finals will take place on 12 April.

Amsterdam will stage the final on 16 May (AEST).

The two clubs are still in with a chance of meeting in a dream final at Wembley on 26 May (AEST) featuring Barca's Lionel Messi and Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in the competition's history.

Barcelona, which came back from a two-goal first-leg deficit to beat AC Milan 4-0 during the week, drew France's Paris Saint-Germain, with the first leg to be played in Paris.

Real Madrid, which knocked out Manchester United in the round of 16, drew Galatasaray of Turkey with the first leg to be staged at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Unfancied Malaga of Spain will play Borussia Dortmund while fellow German team Bayern Munich will face Italy's Juventus in the pick of the quarter-finals.

Malaga and Bayern are at home in the first leg.

The matches will take place on 3 and 4 April and 10 and 11 April (Australian time).

The draw for the semi-finals will be held on 12 April.

Torres scored the crucial third goal as last season's UEFA Champions League winner advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 3-1 win on the night and 3-2 aggregate success over the Romanian league leader.

The Spaniard had the opportunity for a second goal and Chelsea's fourth after earlier goals from Juan Mata and recalled captain John Terry, but his spot-kick struck the crossbar.

Rather than bemoan the miss, Benitez was pleased his compatriot, and former player at Liverpool, was prepared to assume penalty duties.

"He has confidence now and he can take the responsibility," said Benitez, who revealed Torres was one of three possible penalty takers.

"We are quite pleased because he was taking the responsibility.

"It's good. He scored and after he had more confidence and that is positive for the team and positive for him for the future."

Torres' strike was his second goal in 20 games - the effort at Middlesbrough which ricocheted in off his back was belatedly credited to Ramires - and his reward was a nosebleed sustained soon afterwards.

"It (the goal) was important for him," Benitez added.

"It was important - the main thing - for the team. We knew he was working really hard, he was training really well.

"Two days ago he was scoring a lot of goals in training. We knew he was close.

"Hopefully it will be the first of a lot."

Chelsea had to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit to progress and levelled the tie through Mata after 33 minutes, only for Vlad Chiriches to score on the stroke of half-time when the Blues failed to clear a corner.

The away goal meant Chelsea needed to score twice to be included in the last-eight draw and Terry headed in after 58 minutes and Torres netted after 71 minutes to seal victory - before the Spaniard hit the bar with an 87th-minute penalty.

It was a crucial strike from the much-maligned striker and means Chelsea, which plays West Ham United in the Premier League this weekend, faces six games in 16 days after the international break, the run beginning against Southampton on Easter Saturday.

Benitez will take a game-by-game approach to the fixture congestion.

"I prefer to have this problem because it means we're carrying on and competing," he said.

Benitez expected three goals would be necessary to advance and was calm at half-time, having seen his side come from two goals down to force an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Manchester United last weekend.

"The comeback against United we showed character, passion, commitment and quality and today was exactly the same," Benitez said.

"It was a great victory, a great game, against a good team. Everybody here on our side will be pleased because it was a great performance."

Steaua Bucharest coach Laurentiu Reghencampf rued a 12th-minute chance when Raul Rusescu, whose penalty had given his side the first-leg advantage, saw his shot saved by Petr Cech.

"Had he scored in that situation it might have been a different game," Reghencampf said.

"Then we conceded two easy goals. This is it at this level.

"Every game has its own story and tonight we had an important moment in the 45th minute when we drew level. We had a few more chances and we did not manage to score.

"Congratulations to Chelsea, who played very well in the second half.

"For us this is a very difficult moment now and we have to try to get over it as quickly as possible."

Steaua's focus now returns to the Romanian league, where Steaua holds a 12-point lead in the title race and could clinch a place in the Champions League.

"I would be delighted to meet Chelsea again," Reghencampf said.

Chelsea had to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit to progress and levelled the tie through Juan Mata after 33 minutes, only for Vlad Chiriches to score on the stroke of half-time when the Blues failed to clear a corner.

The away goal meant Chelsea needed to score twice to be included in the last-eight draw and captain John Terry headed in after 58 minutes and Torres netted after 71 minutes to seal victory - before the Spaniard hit the bar with an 87th-minute penalty.

Torres' strike was the £50 million ($72.68 million) striker's second goal in 20 games - the effort at Middlesbrough which ricocheted in off his back was belatedly credited to Ramires - and his reward was a nosebleed sustained soon afterwards.

It was a crucial strike from the much-maligned Spaniard and means Chelsea, which plays West Ham United in the Premier League this weekend, now faces four games in nine days, beginning against Southampton on Easter Saturday.

Boss Rafael Benitez made four changes for Chelsea's 52nd match of a season which could feature 70 games - if the Blues advance to the finals of the Europa League and the FA Cup.

Terry, Torres, John Obi Mikel and Eden Hazard were included after the 2-2 draw at Manchester United.

Chelsea's last home defeat in European competition was to United - two years ago in the Champions League quarter-finals - and it was hoping to carry the momentum from the second half of last weekend's Old Trafford encounter.

It was Raul Rusescu's penalty which handed Steaua the advantage at the end of the first leg and the striker nearly doubled its overall lead after 12 minutes.

Mikel dithered over a clearance and Cristian Tanase stole the ball before finding Rusescu, who breached the offside trap before his shot was saved by Petr Cech.

After a quick Mata free-kick was held by Ciprian Tatarusanu, Steaua captain Alexandru Bourceanu fired a 30-yard warning shot narrowly wide and Cech saved from Tanase, who was causing Terry, in particular, problems with his pace.

When the host took the direct route it paid off.

Mata picked up the ball inside the Steaua half in the right channel and ran at his marker.

The Spaniard played the ball inside to Ramires, who continued running at the defence before playing a return pass.

While Torres moved out of the way, Mata used his body to shield the ball from Iasmin Latovlevici and his shot squirmed in under Tatarusanu.

Torres shot narrowly wide soon after before Mata and Hazard crafted an opening, only for the Belgian's shot to be saved.

Chelsea still could not relax, though, as Ashley Cole had to be alert to halt Adrian Popa after David Luiz had given the ball away.

From the resulting corner and the last move of the first half, Steaua restored its advantage.

The set-piece was played to the near post and a scramble ensued inside the six-yard box, with Tanase's shot smartly saved by Cech, who could do nothing about the rebound as Chiriches fired into the roof of the net.

Chelsea needed two goals in the second half and the first came after Cornel Rapa fouled Hazard.

Mata delivered towards Terry. The skipper's powers may have been reduced by age and niggling injury, but when left unmarked he remains a potent force and his header from 10 yards went in off the post.

Cech saved a dipping shot from Alexandru Chipciu before Mata set up the third goal Chelsea needed. He cut in from the right, Hazard stepped over the left-footed cross and Torres picked up the ball.

The striker, whose most recent prior strike was at Brentford in the FA Cup, stepped around Lukasz Szukata and netted low across goal.

The FIFA World Cup winner lost his footing in the area soon after under the challenge of Szukata, emerging with a bleeding nose, before shooting narrowly wide.

Chelsea was awarded a penalty when Hazard was caught by Bourceanu. Torres stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way - but his shot hit the top of the crossbar.

Fortunately for the host he had already done enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The union says its referees' commission has taken Ahmed Ahmed off the list until the end of the season for unsatisfactory performance during the match between Levski Sofia and Litex Lovech on 13 March. Levski won 1-0.

The commission also banned assistant referee Georgi Kovachev for 15 matches for his 'inadequate decisions' during the game.

The ruling followed protests by Litex, coached by former Bulgaria great Hristo Stoitchkov, over the referee's decision to disallow an equalising goal in injury-time.

Steaua, which is 12 points clear in the Romanian league, holds a 1-0 advantage over last season's UEFA Champions League winner in the last-16 tie after its victory in Bucharest last week.

Due to his prior association with Liverpool, Benitez has been booed throughout his tenure as interim manager at Stamford Bridge and the visitor hopes to score early and use any negative atmosphere to its advantage.

"We are well aware that the supporters, the crowd has a very big role, a very important role, especially if we were to go ahead early," Steaua boss Laurentiu Reghencampf said.

"That would not create a great atmosphere for the home team. We will try to score early and play well."

Steaua, which beat Ajax in the previous round after overturning a first-leg deficit, is unfazed by the challenge that awaits in west London.

Defender Mihai Pintilii said: "They are a very good side. They have some great individual players and extraordinary talent in their team.

"Tomorrow night we will be trying to annihilate them and to just play the way we can play."

Due to a knee injury Steaua may have to do without Iasmin Latovlevici, the left-back Benitez highlighted as a danger on the eve of the first leg and who delivered the cross which led to Raul Rusescu's successful penalty.

Steaua will still go on the attack despite the potential absence of one of its most impressive players.

"As always we will be trying to win the game," Reghencampf said.

"Of course it will be very difficult but I have a team that really likes to play football.

"It is a very important match for everybody. Not only myself. It's very important for my team and also Romanian football."

Benitez earlier expressed confidence in Chelsea progressing and revealed that his side had not practised penalty kicks. Steaua has, is undeterred by tackling the Blues and is focused on itself.

"Chelsea are the strongest team we have met so far and I'm sure we will have some difficulties," Reghencampf added.

"We have practised penalties. We will see tomorrow evening.

"If I'm afraid of anything or if I'm concerned about anything then it's my own team.

"We had a not so pleasant game in Amsterdam, where we were not able to play the way we would like to.

"Now my main concern is to try to get my players ready to play the way we would like to."

A repeat of the performances in the first leg will be enough for Pintilii.

He said: "We played very well and won the game. Tomorrow night it's similar.

"If they play the way they played in the first leg and we can play the way we played in the first leg, we can of course win it."

Uffe Bech put the visitor ahead three minutes before the break, but Mads Albaek's 70th-minute strike denied them the win.

With FC Copenhagen having beaten Silkeborg 3-1 to extend its considerable advantage at the top, Nordsjaelland may now be more concerned with third-placed Randers, just two points behind in the battle for UEFA Champions League football, having beaten Sonderjyske 2-0 on Friday (Saturday AEDT).

UEFA says its appeals panel also upheld a threat to expel Fenerbahce from one season of European club competition during a two-year probationary period.

Fenerbahce will host Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Europa League last-16 with a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

Fans fired flares into Sukru Saracoglu Stadium when they were barred from the Turkish club's 1-0 win against BATE Borisov in the second leg of the last-32 match.

UEFA had previously charged Fenerbahce over fan disturbances at two other matches this season.

UEFA imposed a €60,000 ($76,923) fine that included a "kit infringement" violation against BATE and five Fenerbahce players getting yellow cards.

Croatia said the same problems are rife throughout Europe. Its sports ministers and police said on Monday that the governing body should concentrate more on its own corruption and betting scandals than criticising the Balkan country.

UEFA President Michel Platini sent warning letters to the Croatian and Serbian prime ministers stating that both Balkan countries are on "yellow cards" because of their notorious fans.

Platini has twice in two years warned Serbian and Croatian political leaders that their national and club teams face suspension if they don't act to curb the problem. Neighbouring Serbia has said it will do all it can to curb hooliganism at stadiums.

Croatia's ministers said in a statement that Platini's missive to the prime minister is diplomatically "inappropriate", adding that the dangers at its stadiums are no worse than the rest of Europe.

Croatia and Serbia meet in a FIFA World Cup qualifier March 22 in Zagreb, Croatia.

UEFA ruled that racist behaviour and the setting off of smokebombs in its recent 2-0 win over German side Borussia Moenchengladbach in the last 32 of the Europa League warranted the club being made to entertain Stuttgart in Thursday's last 16 return in an empty Olympic stadium.

If the Italian side progresses its fans will also be excluded from the home leg of its quarter-final.

The club was also fined €40,000 ($51,280) for the incidents in the Moenchengladbach match.

Lazio had already been in trouble with UEFA earlier this season after racist incidents during both legs of its Europa League ties against English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

Those incidents prompted UEFA to send observers to Lazio's last home game and they reported several hundred Lazio fans making Roman salutes - which resemble the Nazi salute - during Moenchengladbach's visit on February 21.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito claims he is taking a firm stance against the club's hardcore support, many of whom are reputed to have far right sympathies.

But UEFA's Disciplinary Commission rejected the appeal.

At a pre-trial hearing on Monday, with limited access for the media at the Lelystad courthouse, northeast of Amsterdam, the teenagers and a 51-year-old man whose 16-year-old son was with him in the dock, were all charged with the death of Richard Nieuwenhuizen on December 3.

Nieuwenhuizen, 41, died a day after allegedly being kicked several times in the head during an attack by enraged young opposition footballers shortly after the final whistle of an amateur game.

Judges rejected a defence request for the suspects to be freed pending the start of the trial at the end of May, saying the allegations were serious enough to warrant their continued detention, Dutch news agency ANP reported.

The court agreed however, to allow a defence expert witness on the cause of Nieuwenhuizen's death following the December 2 assault.

Seven youths and a man, identified only as El-Hasan D, were subsequently arrested and charged.

The youths and El-Hasan are all charged with homicide, public violence and brutality. Six youths, aged between 16 and 17, as well as El-Hasan, remained in custody while a seventh teenager, aged 15, is free but faces similar charges.

All eight are connected to, or are members of, the Nieuw Sloten football club, which played against Nieuwenhuizen's Buitenboys Club in Almere, just west of Amsterdam, when the attack occurred.

Nieuwenhuizen officiated as a linesman in the under-17 match in which his own son also played and was set upon shortly after the final whistle by members of the Nieuw Sloten club. He was allegedly kicked several times in the head but got up and went home.

He became ill a few hours later and died the next day in hospital with his family at his side.

The linesman's death horrified the Netherlands where 1.2 million people out of a population of 16.5 million are members of the national football federation (KNVB).

It prompted deep soul-searching in a country with an often fanatical football culture.

"The incident caused huge social upheaval because it happened on a football field where sports are normally played and lots of children are present," Jetty Bult of the public prosecutor's office said.

"People do come to harm in fights, but this specifically happened on the football field," she said.

A few days after the attack, thousands of people turned out for a silent march in Almere to pay final tributes to Nieuwenhuizen, with the KNVB calling off all amateur matches that weekend.

Around the country, signs were put up including at the Buitenboys Club which read in Dutch: "Zonder respect geen voetbal" - "Without respect, no football".

Teams at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan held a moment of silence in Nieuwenhuizen's memory before the tournament kicked off.

The accused are to go on trial at the end of May, but it is not yet known whether the trial will be open to the public as the accused are minors.

Should the teens be found guilty, they could face between one and two years behind bars in a special facility for children.

The maximum punishment for homicide for adults is 15 years in jail.

Monday's hearing was held behind closed doors with a selected number of journalists allowed to follow via CCTV link in an adjoining courtroom.

"This is a hearing to prepare for trial. A number of things still need to be investigated," Lelystad court spokesman Onno Mulder said.

One of the accused's lawyers, Sidney Smeets said outside the courthouse his client "finds it incredible that he has to appear before the court as a suspect in the linesman's death".

"Nobody would have foreseen that this incident would get out of hand as it did," he said.

In a surprise twist last week, Dutch media reported that three members of the Nieuw Sloten team were not even supposed to have been playing on the day Nieuwenhuizen was attacked.

Two of the boys did not have "players' passes", while a third was not a Nieuw Sloten member, Dutch media reported, citing court documents.