Sports

Sepp Blatter, suspended president of soccer's world governing body, FIFA, said he aimed to return to office in time to hand over power to a successor to be elected at a special congress in February.

The Portuguese player, who recently scored his 500th career goal, was photographed holding a Real Madrid jersey with a signed message, which was posted on twitter by the club's official handle.

Stones also was forced to drop out of England's squad for their final two Euro 2016 qualifiers during the international break.

The Dutch team was stunned 3-2 at home to the 10-man Czech Republic in their final qualifier on Tuesday to miss out on Euro 2016.

India failed to continue their winning momentum, going down to Great Britain 3-4 in their second match of the 5th Sultan of Johor Cup junior hockey tournament.

Stiven Mendoza scored the first hat-trick of the tournament as Chennaiyin FC thrashed FC Goa 4-0 in a third round match of Indian Super League football on Sunday.

Italy qualified for the Euro 2016 finals when they won 3-1 in Azerbaijan on Saturday to make sure of one of the two automatic qualifying places from Group H.

Spain's latest win was soured by injuries to forward Alvaro Morata and midfielder David Silva who came off in the first half to be replaced by Juan Mata and Paco Alcacer respectively.

European champions Spain beat minnows Luxembourg 4-0 on Friday to reach the Euro 2016 finals in France where they will aim to complete an unprecedented hat-trick of continental titles.

Spain had not progressed beyond the quarter-final stage of any major competition since ending the 1984 edition of the same tournament as runners-up.

Members of FIFA's ethics committee met this week after the Swiss attorney general opened criminal proceedings against Blatter, 79, last month.

Manchester United's Dutch forward Memphis Depay had admitted he is still adjusting to the physical demands of the Premier League after moving to England this year.

Beckham played under Ancelotti at AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain during the closing stages of his career.

The Hockey India maintained that it needs time to prepare its reply to the player's petition challenging the nine-month ban on disciplinary grounds.

After Saturday's surprise 3-1 home defeat by Southampton, the Portuguese said the Londoners would have to sack him because he would not be quitting.

Fiorentina eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Atalanta to move into sole possession of top spot in Serie A after Inter Milan drew 1-1 at Sampdoria.