Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has expressed his faith in controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has brushed aside ongoing rumours he will leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The agent of Thiago Silva insists the Brazil centre-back wants to stay at AC Milan despite ongoing reports linking him with a move to Manchester City this summer.

Euro 2012 kicks-off in just a matter of weeks and in anticipation The Independent is running down the key factors and people to keep an eye on in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is adamant Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva will not be sold this summer.

Perhaps Italian men really are more comfortable with displays of emotion; or maybe someone had simply warned Rino Gattuso that Joe Jordan was waiting by the bike shed. One way or another, all those years scrupulously devoted to the cultivation of his image as some hirsute, snarling, tunnelling football nemesis – one who caused effete midfielders throughout Europe to wake up howling, their sheets torn and drenched in sweat – have finally been laid waste.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has declared Mario Balotelli is staying at the club.

Defender Laurent Koscielny has admitted Arsenal's players doubted both themselves and manager Arsene Wenger after their dreadful start to this season.

The former England, Chelsea and Manchester United player Ray Wilkins has been charged with drinking and driving.

Former England and Chelsea player Ray Wilkins has been charged with drink-driving, police said.

Former England and Chelsea player Ray Wilkins has been charged with drink-driving, police said.

Arsène Wenger has accepted Uefa's three-match ban and will be in the stands for Arsenal's next European games.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi set a Champions League scoring record when he took his tally to 14 in the competition so far this season as the holders knocked out AC Milan to reach the semi-finals.

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has dropped his legal case against Barcelona after having demanded three million euros (£2.5m) he said was owed from his transfer to Inter Milan in July 2009, the Spanish club said today.