SOCCER

Australian sports minister Mark Arbib, along with other senior Aussie officials call for reforms with the way FIFA is managed due to the recent pay-off scandal of two football federation heads.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is still in the limelight for leading the FC Barcelona to this season's UEFA Champions League title, with power striker Lionel Messi's winning goal securing the club's victory. Guardiola describes the 23-year-old as the "best player" he's seen and continues his statement by adding Messi is "probably the best" he will ever have the privilege of coaching.

At 23 years old, Lionel Messi has achieved so much when it comes to his playing soccer. Scoring the winning goal for Barcelona in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United, the Italian-Argentinean just might be one of this generation's top players.

Despite predictions of Gigg's obdurate concentration towards winning the EUFA Champions League title for his team Manchester United, it wasn't enough to secure the victory against defending champs Barcelona. In the match held at Man U's home court Wembley stadium, Barcelona emerged victorious with a 3-1 lead secured by a power line-up lead by Lionel Messi and Victor Valdes.

After Barcelona's triumphant 3-1 win over Manchester United on Saturdays' UEFA Champions League match, Fox Sports Australia has revealed its pick of select footballers for its Ultimate World Football XI fantasy team. The team includes players who have performed on their peak in this year's season, and it's no surprise Barcelona's Lionel Messi is one of the starting 11 while Man U's Giggs is picked on reserve.

Last Saturday's Champions League match between England's finest, Manchester United, and Spain's world-class squad, Barcelona, was nonchalant rather than exciting. With the help of Lionel Messi's footwork and ball control, the Spanish team came out triumphant with a 3-1 lead over Man U and their fourth European title, proving truth to their the nickname "World's Champions"

Ex-Socceroo and now former Melbourne Victory goal keeper, Michael Petkovic, announced today he has retired from football after a successful 16-year playing career. Petkovic has performed for various football clubs in the country, in Norway and in Turkey. A member of Australia's national team from '01 to '08, Petkovic started playing in 1995 for South Melbourne before he made his much-celebrated Turkish debut in 2002. All in all, the goalie had over 400 field appearances in the 5 teams h...

It looks like Giggs isn't the only soccer player peppered with controversy; Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has been suspended for six months for testing positive in a drug test. The former Arsenal midfielder won't be playing for a couple of leagues, including the UEFA Champions League.

Imogen Thomas, the Miss Wales and Big Brother contestant allegedly being coined as Giggs' mistress, says she has tried to "call off" the relationship before but Giggs went on pursuing her, resulting in an illicit, controversial affair that went public last week. Giggs is the topic of many tabloids and news bits with the revelation of his super injunction that prohibited the media exposure of his extramarital affairs.

The level of anticipation over the UEFA Champion League match between Manchester United and Barcelona this Saturday is on its peak. This is a huge reality check for controversial Man Utd midfielder Ryan Giggs - who's currently trying to deal with a slew of gossip attacks due to his alleged affair outside marriage. Fans are more than worried. Although some speculate he will most likely be on his worst shape yet, experts say his unwavering dedication and exceptional playing skills will remain t...

The alleged affair of Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs with ex-Miss Wales and Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas has caused quite a stir in the cyber world when a Twitter executive announced they are willing to turn over private user information to the UK police for violating the athlete's obtained court ruling against media exposure.

Ahmad Elrich, an ex Central Coast Mariner and Socceroo player, has been arrested for multiple drug and gun charges, and is facing prison time. The 29-year-old midfielder was brought into custody when police searched his motorcycle and allegedly found two pistol guns, bullets, a bottle of Cialis (a drug used for erectile dysfunction), and a couple of small plastic bags, when they asked him for his driver's license.

LONDON, UK – Manchester United star Ryan Giggs has had about enough tabloid exposure and has successfully obtained a court ruling that upholds his privacy against unprofessional bickering and gossiping on despicable headlines about his affair with a Big Brother contestant and ex-beauty queen Imogen Thomas. The court ruling prohibits anyone from reporting about Giggs and Thomas’ name, their private lives, and their relationship.

Andy Harper, a football expert at Fox Sports, says the future of the Australian team Qantas Socceroos is full of promise with its new roster despite the absence of its key trio (Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell, and Tim Cahill) and other important players for the upcoming season. Armed with a new set of talent, the Aussie squad is set to go against New Zealand on June 5th at Adelaide Oval for an Optus international friendly match, the team gears up for a more powerful performance this year.

Qantas Socceroos coach Holger Osieck announces the final team line up of 23 players for this season that will lead the team to victory for the upcoming International Friendly Matches. The new roster will hold its debut on the field this coming June 5th against New Zealand and on June 7th opposing Serbia.

Former England captain David Beckham is desperate to be involved in the Great Britain football team at next year's London Olympics - even if that means being restricted to a backroom role.

Beckham claims he can play up to three more seasons.

SBS has launched its first iPhone app, The World Game, which will provide fans with up to date information across more than 40 football leagues worldwide.

Fresh from its 1-1 draw against Myanmar, the rising Philippine Azkals will battle the Palestine Al-Fusan (The Fighters) on Wednesday to continue their whirlwind campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup group stage and raise their nation's hope of qualifying into the World Cup.

Celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham are expecting a baby girl for their fourth child. Galaxy midfielder made the announcement at a luncheon in Los Angeles over the weekend.

Ivan Henjack has been shown the door three weeks before the NRL premiership kick-off and officially ended his two-year tenure as Brisbane coach. Henjack was replaced by his assistant, Anthony Griffin even with two more years left to run his contract.

Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway has maintained that AC Milan’s midfielder, Gennaro Gattuso was ‘out of order’ when he grabbed Spurs assistant coach, Joe Jordan. The latter however added, Holloway has reacted ‘dignified’ even after younger Gattuso had headbutted the former international striker.

The disciplinary committee of the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) has handed down its decision Monday on the unfortunate headbutting incident at the match in Milan last week between AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspurs.

The football association’s disciplinary body has launched a case proceeding to look into the headbutting incident instigated by AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso against Tottenham assistant manager, Joe Jordan.

The kingpin veteran, Kevin Muscat could not hold back his tears in a farewell gathering organized by officials, members and staff of Melbourne Victory to announce his retirement.

The manager for Tottenham Hotspurs, Harry Redknapp has urged the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Champions League to look into the two-footed lunge AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini against Spurs Vedran Corluka.

It sure is not looking good for AC Milan’s midfielder, Gennaro Ivan Gattuso, who is looking to probably a very long rest after the head-butting incident Wednesday. The incident ensued after Gattuso and his team lost in today’s Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League match in Milan.

Kevin Muscat has confirmed his retirement from the field after Melbourne Victory's play at the Asian Champions League round of 16 tie in May.

A Los Angeles federal judge has dismissed the libel suit popular athlete David Beckham has filed against celebrity magazine over cheating allegations on wife Victoria with prostitute, Irma Nici. US district court Judge Manuel Real dismisses libel suit filed by Beckham against the celebrity magazine for lack of evidence to prove the magazine reported with malicious intent.