French government announces new unit to fight soccer hooliganism

October 6th, 2009 French gay soccer team snubbed by Muslim teamPARIS — A French gay soccer team says its members were victims of homophobia when a team of Muslim players refused to play a match against them. The Paris Foot Gay team says Tuesday it received an e-mail from the Creteil Bebel club canceling a match scheduled for last Sunday.

October 1st, 2009 Serbs seek to ban fan groups after Frenchman diesBELGRADE, Serbia — Serbian prosecutors will request that three soccer fan groups with a history of violence and suspected of recently killing a French fan be banned, a spokesman said Thursday. Tomo Zoric said the prosecutor's office will submit a motion with Serbia's Constitutional Court to formally ban the groups affiliated with Belgrade clubs Red Star, Partizan and Rad.

September 30th, 2009 French soccer fan attacked in Belgrade diesBELGRADE, Serbia — A 28-year-old French soccer fan, brutally attacked in Belgrade by Serbian hooligans, died Tuesday in a hospital. Brice Taton died of brain and other injuries he suffered during the Sept.

September 30th, 2009 Serbians mourn death of young French soccer fanBELGRADE, Serbia — Thousands gathered in downtown Belgrade on Wednesday to mourn the death of a 28-year-old French soccer fan who was fatally beaten by Serbian hooligans. The city observed a day of mourning as people lined up at a central square to light candles and lay flowers for Brice Taton, who died in a Belgrade hospital on Tuesday.

September 30th, 2009 English soccer club Arsenal reports $56M profitsLONDON — English soccer club Arsenal has announced record profits of $56 million following a big increase in turnover and manager Arsene Wenger's refusal to pay huge transfer fees. Releasing figures Monday for the year that ended May 31, Arsenal said that turnover increased to $498 million thanks largely to TV revenue and ticket sales gained when the team reached the semifinals of both the Champions League and FA Cup.

September 30th, 2009 Thousands mourn death of young French soccer fanBELGRADE, Serbia — Thousands of people are lining up in downtown Belgrade to mourn the death of a 28-year-old French soccer fan who was fatally beaten by Serbian hooligans. Serbia's capital is observing a day of mourning on Wednesday and Belgraders are waiting at a central city square to light candles and lay flowers for Brice Taton, who died in a Belgrade hospital on Tuesday.

September 1st, 2009 Player's leg amputated after lightning strikeCOPENHAGEN — Danish soccer player Jonathan Richter has had the lower part of his left leg amputated, six weeks after he was struck by lightning during a reserve game. The FC Nordsjaelland defender's condition is improving and he will "very soon" be moved from the intensive care unit at a Copenhagen hospital, his family said in a statement posted Tuesday on the club's Web page.

August 11th, 2009 Argentina's delayed soccer season to start Aug. 21BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina's delayed soccer season will start Aug.

July 13th, 2009 LOS ANGELES - Becks and former French football captain Zinedine Zidane had their respective feet shaped on plaques to kick off a local soccer scheme in Los Angeles. England football star David Beckham has got his feet cast in concrete.

June 25th, 2009 USA has beaten Spain by 2-0 goals in this Wednesday's semifinal of the Confederations Cup. Spain was a top ranked team, this win by the USA team has come as a pleasant surprise for soccer fans from US.

June 19th, 2009 LONDON - Soccer ace David Beckham and wife Victoria are apparently planning to put their French pad on sale. The couple is planning to move to London after Becks' LA Galaxy contract ends in November.

June 5th, 2009 Lance Armstrong announces birth of son on TwitterLance Armstrong has announced the birth of his son on the social-networking site Twitter. Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven straight years after overcoming testicular cancer, posted a tweet about 11:15 p.m.

June 4th, 2009 Haye hopes Klitschko fight can be rescheduledLONDON — David Haye hopes his world heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko can be rescheduled for July. The British fighter pulled out of the scheduled June 20 bout against the IBF and WBO champion on Wednesday after injuring his back in training.

May 31st, 2009 LUSAKA - Zambian soccer international Jacob Mulenga has signed a three-year deal with Dutch first division side FC Utrecht. Mulenga, who has been with French League 2 side Berrichone Chateauroux since 2004, inked his deal two weeks ago, Zambia Daily Mail reported Saturday.

May 31st, 2009 LONDON - The Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and English football associations have agreed that Great Britain should field a composite team at the 2012 Olympics. The compromise plan needs to be first endorsed by the British Olympic Association (BOA), which has always sought a team open to all British players.