Italy will be one of the four seeded teams in the draw for the European play-offs for next year's World Cup, FIFA's latest world rankings reveal.

The decision of Catalonia's separatist leaders to delay their unilateral declaration of independence from Spain may have averted an immediate showdown between the regional government in the Catalonian capital Barcelona, and Spain's central government in Madrid.

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos suggests that he and Barcelona's Gerard Pique are on the same boat and conveys wish to live in a free and democratic country.

FC barcelona offer to mediate in the conflict between the Spanish government and Catalonia concerning Catalonia’s independence referendum.

Spain is braced for further political upheaval after Catalonia's leader said the region would declare independence "in a matter of days".

Barcelona's Catalan defender Gerard Pique becomes the target of angry Spain fans during an open training session with the national team the day after the Catalonia independence referendum that was declared illegal by the Government.

Isco scored twice as Real Madrid reduce the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to seven points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Espanyol.

Police in Catalonia has already sealed over half of the 2,315 polling stations in the region to stop an independence referendum from taking place, the Spanish government says, as separatists remained determined to fight for their right to vote.

Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos disapproves of Spain teammate Gerard Pique's stance on Catalonia's referendum.

Spain has taken a very unusual step this time to prevent its forests from catching fire. Much of Europe was scorched this summer, with numerous forest fires breaking out and in Spain goats and sheep are helping to fight the blazes - one nibble at a time, Business Insider UK.

Mitchell Weiser scores with a looping first-half header to hand Germany a 1-0 victory against Spain in the final of the under-21 European Championship title in the southern Polish city of Krakow.

Atletico Madrid's troubles away from home continued when they were held to a goalless draw at Alaves on Saturday, dropping points on the road for a second consecutive week and losing Uruguay international Jose Maria Gimenez to injury.

Sevilla made Argentine midfielder Walter Montoya their third signing of the January transfer window on Saturday on a four-and-a-half year deal from Rosario Central.

Alaves became the first side to book their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday as a 0-0 draw at home to second division Alcorcon was enough to seal a 2-0 aggregate win.

Sevilla produced another late fightback to remain just one point behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid after twice coming from behind to edge out rock bottom Osasuna 4-3 on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal powered into the second round of the Australian Open with a commanding straight-sets win over Germany's Florian Mayer on Tuesday.

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal hopes a dramatic change to his longstanding schedule will lead to success in the Australian Open later this month.

Borussia Dortmund can set a new Champions League goal record at Real Madrid on Wednesday if the likes of Marco Reus, Ousmane Dembele or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang score at the Bernabeu.

Barcelona were held 1-1 by lowly Hercules in their King's Cup last 32 first-leg match on Wednesday while Mariano scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid romped to a 6-1 second-leg victory over third-tier Cultural Leonesa and a 13-2 aggregate triumph.

Spanish prosecutors have recommended that Cameroonian football great Samuel Eto'o be handed a 10-year jail sentence and