Heart condition ends de la Red's career

Former Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Ruben de la Red officially announced his retirement from football in an emotional press conference on Thursday.
De la Red has not played since he collapsed during a Copa del Rey match in October 2008, with what has since been diagnosed as a heart problem.
The 25-year-old, who was a part of Spain's victorious Euro 2008 squad, will stay at the club and begin a new career as a coach at the Bernabeu.
"I wish to send my support to all those players out there whose careers were also cut short. I am also very grateful to all the people who have supported me," said de la Red, who was visibly emotional as he addressed the Spanish media.

Last-gasp Leon earns draw for Madrid

Substitute Pedro Leon scored an injury time equalizer as Real Madrid claimed a last-gasp 2-2 Group G draw at AC Milan, a result that ensured qualification into the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Leon fired the ball between the legs of Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, after being put superbly through by fellow-substitute Karim Benzema, to give Jose Mourinho's side the point they needed to reach the knockout stages.
Gonzalo Higuain had given the Spanish giants the lead on the stroke of half-time, turning and firing home Angel Di Maria's pass after Alessandro Nesta had played the Argentine striker on-side.

Russia has 'played fair' in World Cup bid

Alexei Sorokin, chief executive of the Russian campaign to host the 2018 World Cup, has exclusively told CNN that his organization has "played fair" throughout the bid process, despite allegations that a FIFA executive member had been offered a bribe to vote for Russia. Speaking about the controversy surrounding the Russian bid, Sorokin said: "We have always been keen on playing fair, of not offering these incentives and not being any part of this indecent behavior. We intend to keep it this way. Russia is not in any way involved in these things."
Sorokin hit back at recent claims made by Nigerian Amos Adamu, a FIFA executive committee member who alleged the Russian team offered him incentives in exchange for his support, something which is strictly forbidden under FIFA's rules for the bidding and voting process.

Holder Murray crashes out in Valencia

Top seed and defending champion Andy Murray has crashed out of the Valencia Open at the second round stage, beaten in three sets by 12th seed Juan Monaco.
The Briton went into the encounter having won his last six matches without dropping a set, but he struggled throughout and eventually lost 6-2 3-6 6-2.
Murray had beaten Spaniard Monaco on his way to victory in the Shanghai Masters last month but failed to find his normal level on Wednesday -- losing his first eight points en route to defeat.

Domenech suing FFF for unfair dismissal

Former French national coach Raymond Domenech is suing the French Football Federation (FFF) for unfair dismissal, demanding 2.9 million euros after his sacked in the wake of France's disastrous World Cup campaign. Domenech was fired by the FFF in September for "serious error" and -- under French law -- a person dismissed under such circumstances has no right to severance pay, although they can dispute the charge before an employment tribunal.
Domenech's lawyer, Jean-Yves Connesson, told AFP: "We are requesting 2.9 million euros spread over two payments.