ZURICH-- FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA boss Michel Platini, the two most powerful men in world soccer, were banned for eight years on Monday for ethics violations, leaving the world's most popular sport rudderless in a sea of corruption cases.
YOKOHAMA-- Barcelona swept to the Club World Cup title by outclassing South American champions River Plate 3-0 on Sunday, with Luis Suarez scoring twice after Lionel Messi had broken the deadlock in a one-sided contest.
DENVER-- The Denver Broncos had already ruled injured quarterback Peyton Manning out of Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, but the news that he could not practice on Friday casts further doubt on when he might return to NFL action.
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey-- The Panthers kept their unbeaten season intact but not without a scare from the New York Giants, who might have taught Carolina a valuable lesson in their pursuit of National Football League perfection.
LONDON-- Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager of Premier League champions Chelsea on Thursday after a calamitous run of results left the west London club one point above the relegation zone.
