Football

Chelsea have agreed to sign highly rated Burkino Faso midfielder Bertrand Traore on a 4 1/2 year contract following a trial with the Premier League club.

Toure met a top official to discuss allegations that he was the victim of racial abuse from fans during a Champions League match.

Oliver Torres scored 13 seconds into his first start for Atletico Madrid before veteran David Villa added a brace in their 5-0 win.

Elsewhere, Gonzalo Higuain converted two controversial penalties to help Napoli beat 10-man Torino 2-0, while Juventus beat Genoa by the same scoreline.

The home side is on a high after defeating Mumbai FC 3-2 in Pune last week, while Churchill continue their lacklustre show, having bagged only two points from five matches.

Chelsea are placed second and City fourth in EPL, with both coming from away wins in the Champions League this week.

The Real fans showed they are impatient to see Bale in action by giving him a rousing cheer when he entered the fray in Champions League game.

Ajax is facing UEFA sanctions after fans ripped out and threw seats during their team's 2-1 loss at Celtic in the Champions League.

Barcelona sought to silence any alarm bells ringing ahead 'Clasico' at home to Real Madrid after they stuttered to a draw in their Champions League.

Also, Arsenal lose 2-1 to Dortmund turning the group of death wide open with Arsenal, Dortmund and Napoli on 6 points.

Dortmund, Arsenal and Napoli, who won 2-1 at Olympique Marseille on Tuesday, have six points, with Marseille bottom with none.

Bhutia said that even renowned coach Alex Ferguson would not be able to take India into World Cup without proper infrastructure.

The nightmarish run of Mohun Bagan in the I-League has led to the speculation that coach Karim Bencherifa's days are numbered at the green and maroon camp.

Arsenal's record signing Mesut Ozil should be fit to face Norwich City when Wenger's table-topping team returns to Premier League action.

The world soccer players' union, FIFPro, will urge its members to boycott the 2022 World Cup if it is played in Qatar's summer, vice-president Philippe Piat said.

Perez ruled out a bid for Falcao in the next transfer window in January but suggested Real could table one in the close season.