Football

FIFA expects a total of nearly 3.3 million tickets to be available for the tournament in Brazil, but only about 1 million are being offered in the first stage of sales.

The sight of Messi being substituted against Levante on Sunday was an early indicator that Martino is unafraid of making bold decisions.

Chelsea have sent a fifth player out on loan to the Dutch league this season after teenage Croatian striker Stipe Perica joined NAC Breda.

Juventus won the Italian Supercup for a sixth time with Carlos Tevez scoring in his first official match for Juventus.

Jose Mourinho enjoyed a trouble-free Chelsea return on Sunday, and Tottenham successfully negotiated their Premier League opener amid the transfer uncertainty surrounding Gareth Bale.

United coasted to a 4-1 win at Swansea City in the opening game of their English Premier League title defence.

The Dubai-based investment firm that bought English soccer club Leeds United in December sold more than half of its holdings less than six months later.

Hull City have signed Tom Huddlestone and taken fellow Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jake Livermore on a season-long loan.

Even without Lionel Messi, Argentina were good enough to beat Italy 2-1, while Paraguay held Germany to a 3-3 draw.

Werder Bremen have signed Argentine forward Franco Di Santo on a free transfer from English side Wigan.

Suarez has been quoted by Uruguayan newspaper El Observador as saying he will remain at Liverpool.

Chelsea are considering a surprise move for Cameroon veteran Samuel Eto'o as back-up if their bid for Wayne Rooney is not accepted.

Having successfully persuaded FIFA to introduce goal-line technology, the English FA now wants cameras to be allowed to settle other contentious situations in games.

Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet again as Real Madrid eased past their Italian opponents in a pre-season friendly in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tim Howard is sure his status as Everton's first-choice goalkeeper is secure, and doesn't feel threatened by the arrival of Joel Robles.

Michel scored in the 53rd minute to give Valencia a 1-0 victory over Everton in the playoff for fifth place.