Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme is the most notable absentee from the first squad picked by new Argentina coach Diego Maradona.

A hat-trick from Spanish international Raul was not enough to prevent Real Madrid from crashing out of the Spanish Cup at the hands of Real Union.

Champions Lyon were the biggest casualties in midweek League Cup action in France, although Auxerre were also knocked out of the competition.

Arsenal and Manchester United have advanced to the English League Cup quarter-finals, with the Gunners again relying on their youthful talents.

FIFA.com tells the story of Enyimba, the 'People's Elephant', and their remarkable rise to prominence in African football from humble beginnings.

China's Steel Rosebuds boast a proud record at women's U-20 level in recent years, but key absences have affected their Chile 2008 hopes.

Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero is determined to continue his purple patch of form against a Genoa side also boasting a red-hot frontman.

Arsenal's Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky has had further surgery on his knee in Germany, and no date has been set for his return to the team.

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves will miss the remainder of the Premier League season following surgery on his right knee.

Former Manchester United and England striker Andrew Cole has called time on an illustrious career that included several titles with the Red Devils.