Football

On Friday, Infantino was chosen as the new president of FIFA, a position which made his predecessor Sepp Blatter as instantly recognisable as some of the world's leading statesman. It was a remarkable leap for the affable Swiss-Italian.

Acting on US requests, Swiss police swooped on football officials in pre-dawn raids on Zurich luxury hotels during two previous FIFA meetings last year, netting nine arrests.

"The charges against me are baseless, built from the ground up and surreal in view of the facts and the explanations I gave during the hearing," he added.

Lawyers for FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al Hussein have called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to suspend Friday's election, British media reported on Tuesday.

Manchester United provided some blessed relief to under-fire manager Louis van Gaal by powering into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 romp at League One (third-tier) Shrewsbury Town.

Van Gaal's side were expected to coast to victory in the last 32, first leg, but they failed to build on Memphis Depay's first-half goal as strikes from Pione Sisto and Paul Onuachu rocked crisis-torn United.

Manchester United have named former midfielder Nicky Butt as head of their academy as the club continues to overhaul their youth coaching set-up.

Paris St Germain would be odds-on certainties to easily beat Chelsea and take a big step towards the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday if statistics and domestic form decided matches.

Terry is a major doubt for their Champions League last 16 first leg against Paris St Germain on Tuesday after going off injured in his side's 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle United.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said it is unlikely that the club have spoken to Jose Mourinho about replacing him.

"Modric scored a great goal that has given us life and, above all, three points," said Zidane after the La Liga match against Granada on Sunday.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal angrily derided the latest reports about his future after his team were pegged back in injury time in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

Guangzhou Evergrande, the reigning Asian club champions already boasting the likes of Ricardo Goulart and Paulinho, paid $47 million to Atletico Madrid to sign Colombian striker Jackson Martinez.

Barca's place in a fifth final in six years is assured after they thrashed Valencia 7-0 in the first-leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger says his side are playing catch-up in the Premier League title race after Tuesday's goalless draw with Southampton left them five points behind leaders Leicester City.