Wenger hit with UEFA ban

 Arsenal manager suspended for three European games

UEFA has banned Arsene Wenger for three matches for improper conduct in relation to comments he made about the match referee after Arsenal's Champions League game against AC Milan on 6th March.

As well as being suspended from carrying out his managerial duties for the team's next three European games, Wenger has been hit with a fine of €40,000 (£33,000).

It is the third time the Frenchman has been given a touchline ban in the space of a year and, barring a successful appeal, will be a blow for the club when they return to continental competition.

Arsenal are currently on course to qualify for next season's Champions League after moving into third place in the Premier League on the back of a seven-match winning run.

UEFA had previously handed Wenger a one-match touchline ban for an on-field rant at Massimo Busacca following his team's last-16 exit to Barcelona last year.

The Arsenal boss was left fuming at the Swiss referee's decision to send off Robin van Persie.

UEFA 12BET news: UEFA news 12bet update 1/2

Benfica and Portugal legend Eusebio discharged from hospital

The former European Footballer of the Year was looking forward to going home after nearly two weeks in the facility and blamed extensive traveling for the bout of pneumonia

Legendary Benfica and Portugal striker Eusebio has been discharged from hospital and admitted that he was looking forward to spending the rest of the holiday season with family after his recent health scare.

The 69-year-old had spent 12 days at Lisbon's Hospital da Luz, where he was admitted and treated for bilateral pneumonia. Speaking to reporters as he left the facility, Eusebio insisted that he was back in good health and blamed a punishing travel schedule for the illness. 

"I want to go home and spend New Year's Eve with my family," he stated. "I hope nothing else happens to me. I am not a big fan of travelling but this time I really pushed it. It was hot in Mozambique, then cold in Lisbon and then I still flew to Brazil. I feel fine, thanks to God. I can even say that I am 100 per cent. When I was admitted I did not feel well at all, but I trusted my doctors."

Eusebio spent 15 years with Benfica in a glittering career, winning the European Cup in 1962. - http://www.goal.com

UEFA 12BET news: UEFA news 12bet update 12/26

Atlético part company with Manzano

UEFA Europa League contenders Club Atlético de Madrid have dispensed with the services of their coach Gregorio Manzano in the wake of their Copa del Rey elimination.

Following their Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of Albacete Balompié, UEFA Europa League hopefuls Club Atlético de Madrid have dispensed with the services of their coach Gregorio Manzano.

Although Manzano, who returned for his second spell at the club in June as a replacement for Quique Sánchez Flores, guided his side through to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 stage as group winners, the 55-year-old former Málaga CF, RCD Mallorca and Sevilla FC coach has paid the price for his side's faltering domestic form.

Atlético are 21 points adrift of Liga pacesetters and city rivals Real Madrid CF, following five wins in 16 league fixtures, and were eliminated from the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night following a 3-1 aggregate defeat by third-tier Albacete.

A statement on the club's website read: "Club Atlético de Madrid wish to thank Gregorio Manzano for all of his hard work and wish him all the best for the future. We are now fully focused on finding a new coach to take over first team affairs."

Atlético will take on S.S. Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie on 16 February before contesting the return leg in Madrid a week later.  - http://www.uefa.com

Battle of Manchesters 12bet update 10/22

Manchester United host rivals Manchester City in one of the biggest derbies for years.

The two teams have started the season in excellent form and find themselves in first and second place in the Premier League table.

Manchester City find themselves in the rather unusual position of being top of the Premier League.

They are also in the unusual position of being above their bitter and more successful rivals United. And I don’t think City will be willing to give up top spot easily at Old Trafford.

This game is a chance for Manchester City to prove that they belong at the top of the Premier League. They have lived in the shadow of their city rivals for along time now and this is a chance to show United that they mean business this season.

However if Manchester United win then they could be sending out a message that they are still the team to beat and are still top dogs in the city and Premier League.

Manchester United vs. Manchester City is the sort of game that makes the Premier League special. The passion, the quality of play and the excitement. For neutral this will be a superb spectacle. Fans of the two clubs will however be anything but neutral. - http://www.soccernews.com