LONDON (Reuters) – The English FA has yet to establish whether England fans sang a racist song aimed at brothers Rio and Anton Ferdinand during the World Cup qualifier against San Marino, the organisation said in a statement.

Manchester United defender Rio said he was shocked by the media reports concerning last Friday’s 8-0 World Cup qualifying victory in San Marino. Anton, who has never been capped, is on loan from Queens Park Rangers to Turkish club Bursaspor.

LONDON, March 29 (Reuters) – The English FA has yet to establish whether England fans sang a racist song aimed at brothers Rio and Anton Ferdinand during the World Cup qualifier against San Marino, the organisation said in a statement.

Manchester United defender Rio said he was shocked by the media reports concerning last Friday’s 8-0 World Cup qualifying victory in San Marino. Anton, who has never been capped, is on loan from Queens Park Rangers to Turkish club Bursaspor.

LONDON (Reuters) – There is much more to becoming a top-class footballer these days than having the ability to dribble the ball like World Player of the Year Lionel Messi or score goals like Real Madrid’s dynamic Cristiano Ronaldo.

The best players also need mental toughness based on social skills that include self-awareness, the ability to understand team mates and a positive mental attitude honed by years of pastoral support provided by the clubs.

LONDON, March 28 (Reuters) – There is much more to becoming a top-class footballer these days than having the ability to dribble the ball like World Player of the Year Lionel Messi or score goals like Real Madrid’s dynamic Cristiano Ronaldo.

The best players also need mental toughness based on social skills that include self-awareness, the ability to understand team mates and a positive mental attitude honed by years of pastoral support provided by the clubs.

LONDON (Reuters) – Europe’s top teams took important steps towards next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil with qualifying victories on Tuesday, notably world champions Spain who scored a hugely significant 1-0 win over France in Paris.

Netherlands, Germany and Italy also picked up three points but England, fourth in the world rankings, were held 1-1 in Montenegro after a bright start in which they scored first.

LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) – Europe’s top teams took important steps towards next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil with qualifying victories on Tuesday, notably world champions Spain who scored a hugely significant 1-0 win over France in Paris.

Netherlands, Germany and Italy also picked up three points but England, fourth in the world rankings, were held 1-1 in Montenegro after a bright start in which they scored first.

LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) – World champions Spain bounced back from their surprise 1-1 draw with Finland on Friday when they beat France 1-0 in Paris and took over at the top of World Cup qualifying Group I on Tuesday.

Pedro scored the only goal at the Stade de France after 58 minutes while France finished with 10 men after Paul Pogba was sent off 12 minutes from time. Spain now have 11 points while France have 10.

LONDON (Reuters) – A fan who ran on to the pitch in the closing minutes of Russia’s friendly with Brazil on Monday caused his players to lose concentration and concede a last-minute goal that cost them victory, according to Russia coach Fabio Capello.

Russia were just minutes away from their first win against the five-time world champions in their fifth meeting against them since the end of the Soviet era, but allowed Fred to score with a tap-in in the 90th minute to give Brazil a 1-1 draw in front of 35,000 fans at Stamford Bridge.

LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) – A fan who ran on to the pitch in the closing minutes of Russia’s friendly with Brazil on Monday caused his players to lose concentration and concede a last-minute goal that cost them victory, according to Russia coach Fabio Capello.

Russia were just minutes away from their first win against the five-time world champions in their fifth meeting against them since the end of the Soviet era, but allowed Fred to score with a tap-in in the 90th minute to give Brazil a 1-1 draw in front of 35,000 fans at Stamford Bridge.

LONDON (Reuters) – Luiz Felipe Scolari returns to Stamford Bridge, where he spent seven months as Chelsea coach, on Monday hoping it will be third time lucky for his evolving Brazil team when they face Russia in a friendly.

Scolari’s reign at the London club ran from July 2008 until February 2009 before he was sacked by billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich following a poor run of form.