Italy

UEFA have thrown down the gauntlet to their own clubs, the European Commission and upstart rivals Media Partners and have announced far-reaching plans for the reorganisation of European club soccer.

This season's European Cup Final - likely to be the last under the current format - will be played at the Nou Camp Stadium, home of Barcelona.

Leading Italian clubs have gaven a thumbs up to UEFA's plans for a revised Champions' League, as unveiled on Tuesday at a UEFA executive meeting in Lisbon.

The Italian national Olympic committee (CONI) has decided to close its drug-testing facilities while it puts its house in order.

Yugoslav soccer club must play European games at neutral venues because of the political situation in the country, European soccer's governing body UEFA has said.

Italy's soccer players have voted not to strike in protest at media speculation that their sport is rife with drug-taking.

In Germany football clubs are eager to float and London banks want to help, according to a Reuters report.

The head of the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping panel has resigned and the organisation's former president Mario Pescante has been placed under investigation as Italy's soccer-doping scandal widened.

Twelve of Europe's top clubs have asked UEFA for closer co-operation in the organisation of the European Champions' League and insisted on having more input in financial matters.

Europe's leading soccer leagues have taken on world governing body FIFA about releasing players for the controversial Confederations' Cup in January.

Real Madrid and AC Milan have thrown their support behind UEFA's plans for a revamped Champions' League after another meeting between 12 of Europe's top clubs and their governing body.

Franz Beckenbauer has been elected vice-president of the German Soccer Federation (DFB) and has immediately pressed for reforms.

International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) head Primo Nebiolo has rebuked the international media for "irresponsible" reports about the death of Florence Griffith Joyner.

Italian soccer clubs want to avoid a showdown over television rights that could end with the big clubs creaming off most of the money, the chairman of Italy's Football League said on Thursday.

Athletics chiefs have revamped their fixture list for next season in a bid to make Wednesday nights a focal point for top-class track and field.

Switzerland's President Flavio Cotti has asked for the support of France and other French-speaking states for his country's bid to stage the 2006 Winter Olympics.