Opposing managers Roberto Mancini and Alex Ferguson have started sparring well before Sunday's Manchester derby after an exchange of barbs about penalties.

In Friday's pre-match press conference, Manchester United manager Ferguson suggested there would have been "an inquiry in the House of Commons" if his club had been awarded as many spot-kicks as Manchester City in recent years.

 Lionel Messi, stretchered off against Benfica in midweek, is set to feature for Barcelona in the Spanish league leaders game at Real Betis on Sunday.

Robin van Persie insists he is yet to hit peak form despite making a sparkling start to his Manchester United striker.

Van Persie has scored 13 goals in 19 appearances for United since his £24 million pre-season move from Arsenal, but the Dutch star had some bad news for Premier League defenders on Friday as he admitted he isn't completely happy with his performances.

Paris Saint Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti on Friday laughed off rumors that he and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho could swap jobs.

Ancelotti had told Italian television in midweek that he could picture himself in the Madrid hotseat.

Chelsea captain John Terry was ruled out of the Club World Cup on Friday because of ongoing injury troubles.

The defender damaged ligaments in his right knee a month ago, and doctors fear the long flight to Japan could hinder his recovery.

Despite winning the Premier League title last season, Manchester City still has a sense of inferiority heading into Sunday's derby with United.

City has emerged as a force over the last two years, with more than a $1 billion of investment leading to its first English league title in 44 years. But United remains the clear global power after winning a dozen Premier League titles since 1993.

UEFA President Michel Platini promises to make fans a priority when deciding how to stage the 2020 European Championship in several countries across the continent.

Platini acknowledged Friday that the project needs an "intelligent solution" to create a 51-match schedule that avoids "chasing fans all over Europe" to watch their teams.

Mao Asada took the lead with an exuberant short program Friday at the Grand Prix Final, putting her a half-point ahead of American rival Ashley Wagner.

Asada opened her program to variations on "I Got Rhythm" with a strong double axel, followed soon by a fast triple flip-double loop.

A sharpshooting New York Knicks team connected on 18 3-pointers to dominate the suddenly struggling Miami Heat for the second time this season, winning 112-92 on Thursday.

Raymond Felton scored a season-high 27 points as the Knicks easily beat the reigning NBA champions despite the absence of the injured Carmelo Anthony.

Corinthians coach Tite doesn't think Chelsea's recent form struggles will boost his team's chances of winning the Club World Cup.

European champion Chelsea and Copa Libertadores winner Corinthians have a bye into the semifinals of the tournament that features the champion clubs from FIFA's six confederations, plus a team from the host nation.