Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called for an end to the "crazy" Euro 2008 qualifying system.

Chelsea's Dutch winger Arjen Robben needs an operation on his knee and could be out for the rest of the season.

World Cup holders Italy and European champions Greece got back on track in Euro 2008 qualifying on Wednesday, but England laboured to beat Andorra and Sweden suffered an upset in Northern Ireland.

Steven Gerrard scored twice to spare England's blushes as they stuttered to a 3-0 win over Andorra in a Euro 2008 qualifier

Former England managers have been depicted as root vegetables but the tabloid teasing of present incumbent Steve McClaren aimed a little higher on Wednesday.

Israel have rolled out the red carpet as they prepare to host England in Saturday's Euro 2008 Group E qualifier which will have a major bearing on both teams' hopes of making the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

England midfielder Frank Lampard has called for action to prevent any repetition of the attack he faced from a fan at Tottehnam Hotspur in the FA Cup.

England coach Steve McClaren is hoping defenders Micah Richards and Jonathan Woodgate will shrug off injuries in time for their Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Andorra.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson scored with a free kick in their 3-1 victory over Watford.

India, ranked 165 in the world, are placed 32nd in Asia.

McClaren has lost left backs Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge for the game on March 24 to suspension and injury, while striker Peter Crouch is also out.

Scotland shocked World Cup finalists France 1-0 while England were held to a goalless draw by Macedonia.

Olympique Lyon winger Sidney Govou hit a double as France stunned arch-rivals Italy 3-1 in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Paris.

England left back Ashley Cole moved from Arsenal to Chelsea with French defender William Gallas going in the opposite direction.

Last month UEFA prevented Israeli clubs from hosting matches on home soil because of the war with Lebanon.

Wayne Rooney is threatening to withdraw commercial support for the Football Association because he is angry at being banned for three matches.

The teenage scored 6.5 points in the Andorra International Open Chess tournament, which was enough to earn him the Grandmaster's norm.

Argentina's Leandro Cufre and Maxi Rodriguez were also banned and fined for the brawl after the Germany game.

India occupies the 118th place in the latest list.

P Harikrishna slipped to the second spot after settling for a draw with Dutch GM Sergei Tiviakov

P Harikrishna drew with Bulgarian GM Ivan Cheparinov to remain in joint lead after third round

P Harikrishna started his campaign with a draw against Jan Timman of Holland in the first round of the Ciudad de Pamplona International chess tournament.

The Netherlands consolidated their position at the top of Group One with a 4-0 World Cup qualifying rout of Andorra.

World champions Brazil remain in top spot, with Argentina, currently leading the South American qualifying competition for the 2006 World Cup, still in third.

'They want us to talk to Shivraj Patil. Vajpayee had appointed Advani for holding talks with us. Advani had a certain standing,' says Hurriyat leader Moulvi Abbas Ansari.

Indian man scored a victory over unfancied Uruguay in their first round at the Chess Olympiad.

The world number two will not be fielded in India's first round match against unfancied Uruguay in the Chess Olympiad.