Moving on up

LONDON (AP) ― Robin van Persie helped Manchester United to the top of the English Premier League on Saturday, punishing former club Arsenal with a goal in a 2-1 win as Chelsea’s 10-week stay at the summit came to an end.Chelsea was held to a 1-1 draw at Swansea after conceding an 88th-minute equalizer to Spanish winger Pablo Hernandez, falling a point behind United after 10 games.Manchester City could have joined United in leapfrogging the European champions but stayed third after failing to tur

Nov. 4, 2012

Messi becomes a dad but still ready to play

BARCELONA (AFP) -- Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi announced Friday the birth of his first child, Thiago, although the club say he will still play on Saturday,Messi’s partner, Antonella Roccuzzo, delivered their son at the Dexeus hospital about 700 meters from Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium.“Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift! Thanks to my family for the support! A hug to everyone,” the 25-year-old Argentine said on his Facebook page.Messi ha

Nov. 4, 2012

Jong Tae-se shows interest in S. Korean teams: officials

North Korean football striker Jong Tae-se has contacted at least two first-division South Korean professional clubs with an interest to play here next year, officials said Friday.Jong, through his agent, has reached out to Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Ulsan Hyundai Tigers in the K-League, the teams’ officials said.“We don’t have specific plans for player acquisitions for next season, and so at this stage, we are only reviewing his interest in our club,” a Suwon official said. “We need to make sur

Nov. 2, 2012

Soccer chief Cho calls for ‘young, passionate’ successor

The outgoing head of South Korean soccer said on Thursday he would like to see “a young and passionate” person take over the reins next year.At a press conference, Cho Chung-yun, the chairman of the Korea Football Association, said he will stick to his earlier decision not to run for a second term.In a statement released on Oct. 17, Cho said he will step down from his post at the end of his tenure in January next year.“I will not reverse that decision,” Cho said. “I joined the KFA as an executiv

Nov. 1, 2012

IOC issues certificate to Park Jong-woo

The International Olympic Committee has signed off on an Olympic medal certificate for a South Korean football player who was banned from collecting his medal following a controversial post-match celebration at the London Games, an official here said Wednesday.The Korea Football Association official said the London Olympics organizing committee issued bronze medal certificates for the South Korean team, signed by IOC president Jacques Rogge.Park Jong-woo, the midfielder who was barred from the

Oct. 31, 2012

Stamp of approval

LONDON (AP) ― Lionel Messi is the best soccer player in the world and his Barcelona team is the top-rated club, according to the inaugural AP Global Soccer 10 rankings released Tuesday by the Associated Press.A global panel of soccer writers chose Messi as the clear leader in a top 10 list of players for his performance in the week ending Oct. 29.The Argentine forward has been scoring almost at will for Barcelona in the Spanish league and Champions League, and he added two more in Saturday’s 5-0

Oct. 31, 2012

Chelsea: Referee used ‘inappropriate language’

LONDON (AP) ― Chelsea accused referee Mark Clattenburg of directing “inappropriate language” at two players Sunday in its 3-2 Premier League loss to Manchester United, and lodged an official complaint.Clattenburg sent off two Chelsea players in the game at Stamford Bridge and allowed a Javier Hernandez’s contentious late winning goal that appeared to be offside.“We have lodged a complaint to the Premier League match delegate with regards to inappropriate language used by the referee and directed

Oct. 29, 2012

Barca, United erase deficits

LONDON (AP) ― Barcelona and Manchester United erased early deficits to stay perfect in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday, but Chelsea got the first loss of its title defense and jeopardized its qualification hopes.Jordi Alba’s goal four minutes into second-half stoppage time snatched a 2-1 victory for Barcelona over Celtic, keeping the competition favorites top of Group G after three games.United’s comeback was even more impressive, recovering from two goals down to beat Braga 3-2 at O

Oct. 24, 2012

Everton, QPR draw 1-1

LONDON (AP) ― Everton lost ground on the Premier League’s top three teams after being held to a 1-1 draw at last-place Queens Park Rangers, which is off to its worst start to a season in 21 years. QPR is without a win after eight games.Everton, which finished a man down after Steven Pienaar was sent off, fell behind on a deflected strike by Junior Hoilett. But the team tied it when Sylvain Distin’s header hit the post and rebounded in off the shoulder of QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar.Sunderland esc

Oct. 22, 2012

Messi’s hat trick lifts Barcelona

MADRID (AP) ― Lionel Messi scored his first hat trick of the season and Cesc Fabregas set up three goals as Barcelona survived Javier Mascherano’s ejection and won 5-4 at Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish league on Saturday.Fabregas set up Jordi Alba’s goal in the third minute, then passed to Cristian Tello for an eighth-minute goal and to Messi for a 3-0 lead in the 18th.Luis Pizzi’s penalty kick in the 26th and Alex Bergantinos’ goal in the 37th pulled the hosts to 3-2, but Messi scored again

Oct. 21, 2012

Messi nets 3, 10-man Barca wins 5-4 at Deportivo

With Lionel Messi as a three-time goal-taker and Cesc Fabregas as a three-time goal-maker, 10-man Barcelona outlasted Deportivo La Coruna in a wild 5-4 shootout in the Spanish league on Saturday.Fabregas set up Jordi Alba's opener before Cristian Tello and Messi both followed suit as Barcelona roared to 3-0 just 18 minutes in at Riazor Stadium.But some dubious officiating saw Javier Mascherano sent off in the 49th, and the visitors needed Messi's 15th overall goal in a superb individual effort 1

Oct. 21, 2012