Today's soccer news from around the world

O'Neill tells Reds to meet Barry asking price (Thu Jul 03)

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill told Liverpool on Thursday to meet his club's asking price for want-away England midfielder Gareth Barry.

None of Reds boss Rafael Benitez's four separate bids for Barry have so far met their Premier League rivals' asking price of 18 million pounds (36 million dollars).

O'Neill, who has resigned himself to losing his club captain, fined Barry two weeks wages, some 80,000 pounds, on Wednesday after his skipper suggested the Villa boss was more interested in commentating on Euro 2008 for the BBC than talking to him about his future. . . . more . . .

Atletico sign Pongolle for four seasons (Thu Jul 03)

Spanish first division side Atletico Madrid said Thursday it had signed French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle from Recreativo Huelva for four seasons. . . . more . . .

Briatore pleads for patience despite cash boost (Thu Jul 03)

Queens Park Rangers chairman Flavio Briatore warned against talk of imminent promotion to the Premier League next season despite announcing Thursday a fresh cash boost for the increasingly wealthy London club. . . . more . . .

Coming months crucial for Ukraine's Euro 2012 plans, Platini (Thu Jul 03)

Ukraine's ability to co-host Euro 2012 depends on what the country can achieve over the coming three months, UEFA president Michel Platini said here on Thursday. . . . more . . .

Football stars gather in Munich to help Africa (Thu Jul 03)

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Germany captain Michael Ballack and Liverpool's England midfielder Steven Gerrard are amongst the stars set to play a charity match in Munich next week to help raise money for Africa. . . . more . . .

Klinsmann rings the changes at Bayern (Thu Jul 03)

New Bayern Munich boss Jurgen Klinsmann has banned his players from using mobile phones on the club's premises as the ex-Mannschaft coach rings the changes at the German giants. . . . more . . .

Italy names Olympic squad (Thu Jul 03)

Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi unveiled his 22-man squad for next month's Beijing Olympics here on Thursday. . . . more . . .

Fenerbahce confirm Aragones as Zico's successor (Thu Jul 03)

Spanish coach Luis Aragones has signed a pre-contract with Turkey's Fenerbahce and was expected in Istanbul late on Thursday, the club said. . . . more . . .

Di Matteo succeeds Ince at Milton Keynes Dons (Thu Jul 03)

Roberto di Matteo, the former Chelsea and Italy midfielder, was unveiled Thursday as the new manager of English third-tier side Milton Keynes Dons. . . . more . . .

Domenech keeps job, told to concentrate on the pitch (Thu Jul 03)

Raymond Domenech has survived the sack with the French Football Federation announcing Thursday that he had kept his job as manager despite France's poor showing at Euro 2008. . . . more . . .

No decision yet on Ronaldo injury, Man Utd say (Thu Jul 03)

Manchester United officials have termed as premature press reports that star winger Cristiano Ronaldo will have to undergo surgery on his right ankle. . . . more . . .

Queiroz set to sign up for Portugal: reports (Thu Jul 03)

Alex Ferguson's right-hand man at Manchester United, Carlos Queiroz, is set to take over from Luiz Felipe Scolari as Portugal's national team coach, Portuguese papers reported on Thursday. . . . more . . .

Jo joins Manchester City for record fee (Wed Jul 02)

Brazilian striker Jo joined Manchester City from CSKA Moscow on Wednesday for what the English Premier League side said was a "club record" undisclosed fee. . . . more . . .

All smiles as Bayern's Klinsmann opens charm offensive (Wed Jul 02)

New Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann was all smiles as he faced the media on Wednesday for the first time in his new role as boss of the German giants - despite a photographers' boycott. . . . more . . .

Barca unveil Brazil defender Alves (Wed Jul 02)

Barcelona on Wednesday unveiled their fourth off-season signing, Sevilla's Brazil international defender Daniel Alves. . . . more . . .

Barca unveil Brazil defender Alves (Wed Jul 02)

Barcelona on Wednesday unveiled their fourth off-season signing, Sevilla's Brazil international defender Daniel Alves. . . . more . . .

Sun Jihai signs for Blades (Wed Jul 02)

China international Sun Jihai has joined Sheffield United from Premier League side Manchester City, the English Championship club announced Wednesday. . . . more . . .

Villa discipline Barry over interview (Wed Jul 02)

Aston Villa announced Wednesday that want-away midfielder Gareth Barry would not be returning to pre-season training on Thursday and said the England international had been disciplined for an "unauthorised" newspaper interview. . . . more . . .

D-Day nears for France's Domenech (Wed Jul 02)

Raymond Domenech's fate as France manager following his team's calamitous showing at Euro 2008 will be determined on Thursday at a high level meeting of his employers, the French Football Federation. . . . more . . .

Bayern chairman denies Podolski set for Cologne return (Wed Jul 02)

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge poured cold water on Wednesday's reports here that their hot-shot Germany forward Lukas Podolski was set to be sold to Cologne for 15 million euros (23.5 million US dollars). . . . more . . .