Christopher Bates

Madrid - Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has signed a new four-year deal with the club, keeping him at the Bernabeu until 2016.

Manchester - After just a season with Premier League champions Manchester City, former England international Owen Hargreaves has been released from his contract.

Following the tragic death of Wales manager Gary Speed last month, it has been reported that Welsh chiefs want Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs to take the vacant position.

In an attempt to make people aware of the indirect dangers that can result from prank calls to emergency services, the bosses of the South Western Ambulance Service have released a prank call from a man who informed them he was out of toilet paper.

Oxshott - It has been reported that England and Chelsea captain John Terry – who has recently made headlines for alleged racial abuse towards QPR’s Anton Ferdinand – almost had his home burgled during Thursday's game against Tottenham.

Although footballers (and managers) aren’t renowned for their academic prowess, they do, however, take part in some comical spontaneous interviews. So as we’re fast approaching Christmas, I thought I’d share some of my favourites with you.

English comedian Ricky Gervais has caused more upset amongst Christians following his appearance on the front cover of New Humanist magazine. The mastermind of The Office is seen in a Jesus-style pose with the word “atheist” written across his chest.

BBC pundit and former Liverpool player Alan Hansen is now at the centre of football's current racial controversy, after referring to black players as "coloured" on last night's edition of Match of the Day.

Amsterdam - A Dutch (KNVB) Cup match was abandoned last night, following an incident in which AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado attacked an Ajax "fan". After referee Bas Nijhuis issued Alvarado a straight red card, he cancelled the game just minutes later.

Las Vegas - Unbeaten boxer and current WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr was yesterday sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges.

In an interview released today by Stern – a weekly German news magazine – the father of Norwegian right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people back in July, said his son is the "worst terrorist" since World War II.

Following the eight-match ban and £40,000 ($63,000) fine handed to Liverpool player Luis Suarez yesterday, England and Chelsea captain John Terry will also face charges of racism after an incident involving QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

Petersfield - In a truly remarkable story, Layla Stephen – a 36-year-old mother from Petersfield, Hampshire – had her life saved by her unborn son, Hadley, who miraculously pushed a cancerous tumor into her appendix when moving around in her womb.

Liverpool have completed the signing of Jordan Ibe – a 16-year-old striker from League One side Wycombe Wanderers – for an undisclosed fee.

Swindon - A 48-year-old teacher has been jailed for 16 months after having sex with one of his students in a classroom. Mark Westcott, originally from North Wraxall, Wiltshire, taught design and technology at a school in Bath.

Forget Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Meet Nigerian defender Festus Baise, who recently found the back of the net in similar fashion to the world's biggest names. Unfortunately for Baise, it was the wrong goal. D'oh!

As David Beckham’s LA Galaxy contract draws to a close, Posh and Becks are expected to return to the UK following David’s talks with French club Paris Saint-Germain. He is also expected to have talks with a number of English clubs.

Sunderland - Following his arrest last week, Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner has issued an apology to the club, as well as his fans, family and friends.

Makhachkala - They say money doesn’t bring happiness, but it certainly does for Russian billionaire Suleyman Abusaidovich Kerimov, who recently paid English singer Jessie J £300,000 ($465,000) to perform at a party held in Makhachkala, Russia.

Yokohama - Santos were no match for the outstanding Barcelona earlier today, as Pep Guardiola's men thrashed Brazilian giants Santos 4-0, claiming the FIFA Club World Cup for the second time in their history.