German police make multiple arrests in soccer corruption probe supported by UEFA

November 11th, 2009 UEFA picks experts to monitor top clubs' financesNYON, Switzerland — The European soccer governing body has selected a team of independent experts to monitor the finances at the top soccer clubs. UEFA said Wednesday that former Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene and eight financial and legal consultants have formed the Club Financial Control Panel.

November 9th, 2009 Buccaneer Piscitelli's home robbed during gameTAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally won their first game of the season, but safety Sabby Piscitelli still had a bad day.

October 21st, 2009 Report: UEFA suspects match-fixing in RussiaMOSCOW — The European soccer governing body has reportedly informed Russian officials that it suspects several domestic league games have been affected by match-fixing this season. Russian daily newspaper Vremya Novostei on Wednesday cited a letter it said UEFA sent to the Russian Football Union in September alleging suspicious betting patterns on six matches.

October 21st, 2009 Germany soccer sending security chief to SAfricaFRANKFURT — The German soccer federation is sending its security chief to South Africa to inspect the team's headquarters at the 2010 World Cup. It will decide if any extra security measures are needed before South Africa hosts the World Cup in June.

October 14th, 2009 Jamaican police: National team player killedKINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica defender Orane Simpson was fatally stabbed in the violence-wracked Kingston slum where he was raised, police said Wednesday. A brief police statement said the 26-year-old player, a Jamaica international since 2005, was killed in Tivoli Gardens, a sprawling neighborhood that was the country's first government housing project.

October 6th, 2009 UEFA president Platini meets with Israel's PeresJERUSALEM — The head of European soccer's governing body believes the sport can play a role in bringing peace to the Middle East. UEFA president Michel Platini said Tuesday that soccer promotes "peace, tolerance and friendship." He spoke during a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, an avid sports fan and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.

October 2nd, 2009 4 UMass players suspended from team after arrestsAMHERST, Mass. — Four University of Massachusetts football players have been suspended from the team following their arrests by Amherst police on drug charges.

September 25th, 2009 UEFA investigating 40 cases of match-fixingLONDON — UEFA is investigating 40 cases of suspected match-fixing in the Champions League and UEFA Cup, mostly involving eastern European clubs. The number of matches being scrutinized for suspicious betting patterns has risen from 25 in the last year, Peter Limacher, head of disciplinary services for European soccer's governing body, told The Associated Press on Friday.

August 28th, 2009 Euro soccer clubs get deadline to curb spendingMONACO — Europe's top soccer clubs will be barred from the Champions League if they don't curb their spending. A UEFA strategy council on Friday approved a 2012 deadline for clubs to balance their books if they want to play in the world's most lucrative club competition.

August 21st, 2009 UEFA, clubs to share $1.55B from Champions LeagueGENEVA — The world's most lucrative club soccer competition, the European Champions League, will earn a record $1.55 billion in marketing and television revenues for clubs and organizer UEFA this season. The recession-defying figure is a rise of 33 percent from last season, according to figures released by UEFA.

August 21st, 2009 UEFA orders probe into Romanian soccer riotNYON, Switzerland — UEFA has ordered Dinamo Bucharest to appear before a disciplinary panel next week after its rioting fans forced a Europa League match to be abandoned. The Romanian club trailed 2-0 at home to Czech opponent Slovan Liberec when fans tried to invade the pitch in the 88th minute of the playoff round, first-leg tie on Thursday.

August 19th, 2009 Beijing medals not at risk in Germany doping probeLAUSANNE, Switzerland — The IOC says equestrian medals from the Beijing Olympics will not be affected by an investigation into alleged doping violations by Germany's team. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) commissioned a report into claims that some members of the German team — which topped the equestrian medal table at the games — used banned drugs and medical treatments on their horses.

July 28th, 2009 Mexico arrests 4 in kidnapping that sparked outcryMEXICO CITY — Police have captured four suspects in the kidnapping and killing of the daughter of Mexico's former sports commissioner, a case that provoked huge protests against crime and police incompetence. Among those arrested is Candido Ortiz, accused of leading the kidnapping band "the Reds" and organizing the abduction of 19-year-old Silvia Vargas, Public Safety intelligence coordinator Luis Cardenas said Tuesday.

June 15th, 2009 Officers hurt as Laker title celebration gets wildLOS ANGELES — Downtown celebrations after the Los Angeles Lakers' championship win turned ugly as darkness fell, with some throwing rocks and bottles that left five police officers with minor injuries. Police also said Monday that police cruisers were damaged, windows on public buses were smashed and fires were set in the street.

June 1st, 2009 FIFA plans for quota rule could face tough roadNASSAU, Bahamas — European soccer officials will abstain if a vote is taken by the sport's worldwide body this week to restrict teams to a maximum of five foreign players in starting lineups. FIFA president Sepp Blatter backs the plan, which is supported by many of his organization's members and could drastically change the makeup of many of the world's best-known clubs, such as ones in the English Premier League.