When it comes to level playing fields, it seems the Americans are flattening their European counterparts.
An entry draft and salary capping ensure big, rich American clubs cannot dominate smaller, poorer ones.
Meanwhile, in Europe, a Russian billionaire can buy an English football club while a powerful body, the G14, slavishly protects the interests of the continent’s [...]

Round-up of soccer news in brief from around the world:
* Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o is set to return to training with the rest of the Barcelona squad from the middle of January, the Primera Liga club have said.
Eto’o tore the meniscus in his right knee on Sept. 27 in the 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen [...]

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side saw their eight-point lead over second-placed Chelsea whittled down to just two and suddenly the pressure is back on at the top of the Premiership table.
The loss at Upton Park brought to an end a 12-match unbeaten run in the league, and this week Ferguson has challenged his side to begin [...]

Reigning champions Chelsea achieved a hard-fought victory at Everton, thanks to late goals from Lampard and Drogba.
A converted spotkick from Mikel Arteta put Everton in the lead after 38 minutes but German playmaker Michael Ballack levelled the score, four minutes into the second half.
Joseph Yobo restored Everton’s advantage in the 64th minute however, and Everton [...]

FC Barcelona have lost to Internacional of Port Alegre (1-0) in the final of the Club World Cup. In one of the few chances they managed to create, the Brazilians broke the deadlock with Adriano’s goal in the 81st minute.

So, it wasn’t to be. An Adriano goal eight minutes from time was enough to seal [...]