A Spanish assistant referee has made a formal complaint to anti-corruption authorities, claiming he was pressured into favoring Real Madrid in next month's El Clasico against Barcelona by the league's refereeing committee.

In a court filing published by Spanish radio station COPE on Wednesday, the official, who didn't want to reveal his identity, claims pressure was put on a senior referee who is expected to take charge of the match on November 21 to handle the game in a manner that would "prejudice the interests of one of the clubs involved, Barcelona."

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal's memorable 2-0 win against Bayern Munich will give his players the belief to complete their Champions League escape act.

Wenger's side had put themselves in a perilous position after losing their opening two Group F fixtures against Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos, but they clawed their way back into the battle to reach the last 16 in dramatic fashion at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

A senior FIFA official called into question Michel Platini's bid for football's top job on Tuesday, saying the failure to disclose a multi-million dollar payment could be seen as a "falsification of accounts".

FIFA reconfirmed they will vote for a new president on February 26, 2016 to replace president Sepp Blatter and the executive committee confirmed Platini's bid will not be considered as long as he is suspended.

Conrad Smith has seen most things Test rugby has to offer during a 92-cap career but for the New Zealand center the thrill of facing South Africa never fades.

The two countries, for much of the last hundred years the game's leading countries, will meet again in a World Cup semi-final at Twickenham on Saturday.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho resumed his hostility towards referees and his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger after his team's 0-0 draw at Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Mourinho was fined £50,000 ($77,000, 68,000 euros) by England's Football Association and given a suspended one-game stadium ban for saying a referee had been "afraid" to give his side a penalty during their recent 3-1 loss at home to Southampton.

Basketball star Lamar Odom has taken a few steps and is making "miraculous" progress after being found unconscious and fighting for his life in a Nevada brothel last week, his family said Tuesday.

Odom, 35, was on Monday moved from the Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas to a medical facility closer to his home in Los Angeles after his condition improved steadily over the weekend.

A Stefan Mitrovic own goal 18 minutes from time handed Valencia a vital 2-1 win over Gent on Tuesday to edge the Spaniards closer to the last 16 of the Champions League.

A strong start from Valencia was rewarded when a combination of Sofiane Feghouli and Gent defender Lasse Nielsen opened the scoring for the hosts from close range, but Gent went in level at the break thanks to a stunning strike from Thomas Foket.

European champions Barcelona edged closer to sealing their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as Ivan Rakitic's double handed them a comfortable 2-0 win away at BATE Borisov.

Rakitic had started on the bench, but was pressed into action by a first-half injury to Sergi Roberto and finally opened the scoring after a frustrating opening period for the visitors soon after half-time.

Bayer Leverkusen snatched a dramatic late point in a 4-4 draw against Roma in a thrilling Champions League group stage encounter on Tuesday.

Javier Hernandez's brace had put Leverkusen ahead after just 20 minutes, but Roma drew level before half time as Daniele De Rossi struck twice, before the Italians scored twice more through Miralem Pjanic and Iago Falque to seemingly secure victory in the second half.

Spanish giants Barcelona top the FIFA shortlist for the Ballon d'Or world player of the year award with six players named in a second 23-strong selection.

They include the favorite for the prestigious award, Argentinian Lionel Messi, as well as Javier Mascherano (Argentina), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Neymar (Brazil), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) and Luis Suarez (Uruguay).