Yuvraj Singh ruled out of IPL

Yuvraj Singh, the India batsman, could be ruled out of cricket for as many as six months due to the ongoing treatment of his non-malignant lung tumour. This means he will at least miss the Asia Cup and the IPL, where he captained the Pune Warriors last year.

The last time Yuvraj played competitive cricket was the Tests against West Indies last November, and he was originally hoping to return as early as next month's ODI tri-series in Australia.

According to PTI, quoting an unnamed source from the IPL, Yuvraj is currently overseas. He has travelled to the United States in order to undergo "advanced treatment" for the tumour following which there will be a period of recuperation expected to take several months as well. This means he would not be available to play in the IPL, which starts on April 4. The unnamed IPL source said it could take up to "six months" for Yuvraj to return to cricket.

It has been a nightmare run for Yuvraj since his Man-of-the-Series performance in India's World Cup victory last year. An injury kept him out of the tour of the West Indies and his contribution to India's tour of England was cut short by a finger injury sustained during the Nottingham Test. He returned for the home Tests against West Indies, and was left out of the side for the third Test, in November.

Uefa labels 36 per cent increase in annual losses 'the last wake-up call' for Europe's elite

According to the latest club licensing report, which covers 2010, the continent’s finest recorded an overall loss of €1.6 billion, underlining the need for cost-cutting measures

Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino has said that the 36 per cent increase in reported annual loses among Europe’s top-flight clubs represents “the last wake-up call” for those still opposed to the introduction of Financial Fair Play (FFP).

According to Uefa’s latest club licensing report, which covers 2010, the continent’s finest recorded an overall loss of €1.6 billion.

As a result, Infantino believes that there can now be no debate over whether FFP is essential for the future of Europe’s top clubs.

“You will see today some very worrying figures,” he told reporters at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

“This is the last wake-up call for those that have not realised that FFP will happen. You will see the figures and see something has to be done.”

Infantino acknowledged that while total revenue is growing within the European game, the losses are growing even faster.

“That is why I say this is the last wake-up call for European football,” he pointed out. “This red trend has to be inverted very, very quickly if we want to save European football. 

“Net losses have increased in European football every year since 2006. Income has grown but so have losses. 

“In two years from 2008 to 2010 net losses have increased by €1bn. In 2006 losses were just €216m. 

“If this is not enough to tell us that we need to act, and act quickly, then nothing will.”

The one success story on the continent is the Bundesliga. German clubs agreed to implement cost-cutting measures 18 months ago and the benefits are now being felt.

The Bundesliga’s annual report for the 2010-11 season boasts a record revenue figure of €2.23bn. In addition, the championship also posted a profit of €52.5m.

"The measures for an improved cost control approved by the clubs in August 2010 have borne fruit,” Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert is quoted as saying by ESPN.

"With that, professional football continues to have a strong outlook of remaining a success story, also because the Bundesliga is as popular as never before with fans, sponsors and media partners."

As part of Uefa's FFP regulations, clubs must bring their football-related expenditure under control over a three-year period or run the risk of points deductions, transfer embargoes or expulsion from European competition.

Napoli's Walter Mazzarri to miss Champions League clashes against Chelsea after receiving two-match ban

The Italian coach will not be allowed in the dugout for the upcoming matches against the Blues, but the Serie A side are hopeful they will win the appeal

Uefa has announced that Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has been handed a two-match touchline suspension for the Champions League.

This means that the Partenopei boss will be in the stands for both legs of Napoli's Champions League round of 16 tie against Chelsea on February 21 and March 14.

The 50-year-old coach was sent off during Napoli's 2-0 victory against Villarreal in December for protesting at the Spanish side's time-wasting by pushing Nilmar off the ball.

In addition to the suspension, Mazzarri has also been fined €3,000 [£2,500] for his actions.

"We will present our appeal next week - our goal is to at least reduce the ban by one match," Napoli lawyer Mattia Grassani told Radio Gol.

"We want to prove that what Walter did was minimal since there was no aggression. Our biggest goal is to transform the suspension into a fine."

Sir Alex Ferguson calls for calm ahead of Manchester United's FA Cup clash with Liverpool - 'There is a responsibility on the players to behave'

Much of the pre-match talk has surrounded Patrice Evra following his race row with Luis Suarez but the Scot believes the players will be able to influence the fans to behave well

Sir Alex Ferguson has called for the players to take responsibility for the atmosphere inside Anfield when Manchester United meet Liverpool in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The game is the first meeting between the two since Luis Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing United's Patrice Evra, giving the game a potentially unsavoury edge.

Despite the potentially volatile reception waiting for United and Evra, Ferguson is adamant he is only focussed on the match and echoes Steven Gerrard's belief that the players must ensure thing don't get out of hand.

Ferguson told reporters: "It's a massive game for both clubs. There's a tremendous profile on it. There will be interest throughout the country.

"As Steven Gerrard said yesterday, there is a responsibility on the players to behave properly. That is what I expect my players to do, and also the fans.

"Both sets of fans have got to make sure we are talking about the game and nothing else. It can be that way because there are a lot of good players on the pitch.

"It is a big game and at the end of the day we want to talk about a game of football.

"You just have to concentrate on the game. We have to try and play our game – that helps. Both sets of players have to be aware of that. I'm confident there won't be problems."

Ferguson also suggested he may be facing a selection headache ahead of the game, with several members of his first-team squad doubtful for the fourth round tie.

Rio Ferdinand missed their win last weekend over Arsenal with a back problem while Phil Jones, Nani and Wayne Rooney all picked up knocks at the Emirates.

Sir Alex continued: "Hopefully we'll have two or three training this morning and we'll be better by tomorrow. It is not the best situation for us."

"It's a big FA Cup tie – there's no doubt about it, in my time there haven't been many cup ties between the clubs. It's one to look forward to and I think the players will follow that."