Spain

Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid has hit back at claims it has defaulted on a transfer payment – saying it has all been a ‘misunderstanding’.

Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch has been in a Barcelona clinic for the last two weeks, according to the Spanish media, as fears mount over his health.

Spanish soccer side Atletico Madrid is aiming to break its previous season ticket sales figure as it approaches the start of the season.

Media group Kirch has given into increasing protests and agreed to change its scheduling of the soccer highlights programme to the German Bundesliga after ratings for the show dropped remarkably in its newly allotted later time slot.

The former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Juan Antonio Samaranch, is due to be released from a Spanish hospital later this week.

European internet sports network Sportal has finalised a new round of funding for its operations, which the company envisages will see it through to profitability in early 2002.

Joan Gaspart, president of Spanish soccer side Barcelona, has today vetoed efforts by the G-14 group of top European soccer clubs to expand the group’s club representation.

English soccer club Chelsea is in talks with Italian club Lazio about setting up a rival to the G14 group of top European clubs.