Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, who died of cardio-pulmonary arrest early on Sunday aged 71, reigned over Portuguese football in the 1960s, bringing glory to both his club Benfica and his country.

Jamie Skinner was playing for Tynecastle FC's Under-14 team at the Saughton Astro pitch in Fernieside town when he collapsed on Sunday. Desperate attempts by paramedics to revive him failed.

Roy Hodgson admits he would have preferred an easier group, but claimed he had already prepared for the worst given the quality of so many of the 32 teams.

World football's governing body FIFA said in a statement that 889,305 successful applications were made during the initial ticketing window that closed October 10, reports Xinhua.

Lionel Messi, winner of the last four Ballon d'Or awards in voting by coaches, team captains and media, was injured late in the season and could not prevent Barcelona from being beaten by Bayern in the Champions League semifinals.

Beckham's car, worth in excess of USD 60,000, suffered major damage in the accident.

Central defender Gouramangi Singh and goalkeeper Subrata Paul are expected to be available for India's two international friendlies against Philippines (on November 15) and against Nepal (on November 19).

Manipur'S

The 500-page limited edition book about Pele, widely regarded as the greatest ever, is titled "1283", the number of goals Pele scored in his career, and comprises 1283 texts, reports Xinhua.

According to Italian press reports, the Indonesian businessman Thohir will acquire a majority 70 per cent stake in the club.