Tax Fraud: Barca Backs Messi

Spanish giants Barcelona have thrown their weight behind their all time highest goal scorer over tax fraud allegations.

La Liga club Barcelona have given their backing to forward Lionel Messi as he faces the prospect of standing trial alongside his father over tax fraud allegations.

It was widely reported in the Spanish media on Thursday that the 28-year-old, under investigation along with father Jorge over alleged fraud dating back to a period of time between 2007 and 2009, is set to stand trial after the state attorney overruled the advice of prosecutors.

Spain Hopeful Of Sealing Euro 2016 Spot Against Luxembourg

Spain can seal their place at next year's European Championships in France when they host minnows Luxembourg in Logrono on Friday.

However, Vicente del Bosque's men are under pressure to produce plenty of goals as well as the three points after an unconvincing campaign that has failed to dispel the doubts that his golden generation may be past its prime.

Del Bosque has been fiercely loyal to players who were a part of Spain's historic three consecutive major tournament wins between 2008 and 2012 with the country's first World Cup sandwiched between back-to-back European Championships.

Pique To Deal With Boos, Cools Real Madrid Fans

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has confirmed he has no problem with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos and reaffirmed his commitment to the Spanish national team, despite being jeered by his own supporters at recent matches.  

The 28-year-old called an impromptu press conference on Thursday after being whistled in La Roja’s last two fixtures by Spanish supporters. Ramos had claimed Pique has not “helped” himself with some of his behaviour but the latter stated during the presser that the dynamic between the two is now fine after some early issues.

As reported by sports journalist Phil Kitromilides, Pique was also insistent that his relationship with the other Real Madrid players is in good shape:

Pique Breaks Silence, Calls Press Conference

Spanish defender Gerard Pique has called a press conference in an attempt to break his silence over the recent jeers and boos he has suffered from fans and the late lash he just got from Sergio Ramos.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has called an impromptu press conference for Thursday at which he is expected to break his silence on being booed by Spain fans last weekend.

The defender was subjected to jeers by a certain section of the home fans every time he touched the ball in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovakia in Oviedo, while he was also castigated in the media for being photographed emerging from a nightclub in the early hours of the following morning.

Spain: Ramos Hits Out At Pique

Ramos has taken a jibe at Pique by calling out at the Barcelona defender asking him to take some blames for his past actions. Ramos thinks that the boos and jeers that Pique has found himself in is as a result of some needless speeches.

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos believes Gerard Pique should take part of the blame for the frosty reception he received during Spain's 2-0 Euro 2016 qualification win over Slovakia at the weekend.

The Barcelona defender was jeered by sections of the Spain fans during Saturday's encounter, prompting a number of high-profile names to come out and defend Pique.

Man United: David De Gea Wants Van Gaal To Return Him To The Starting Line Up

After De Gea's failed Madrid move the Spanish goalkeeper is expecting Van Gaal to restore him back to the starting line up after being sidelined for four games.

David De Gea admitted that he is now hoping to be afforded some game time at Manchester United after getting a run-out for Spain on Tuesday. The goalkeeper has been consigned to the stands for the first four matches of the new Premier League season.

United boss Louis van Gaal said the 24-year-old was not in the right frame of mind to play because of the uncertainty surrounding his anticipated move to Real Madrid.

Euro 2016 Qualfying Review: Rooney Breaks Bobby's Record, Mata Scores For Spain & More

Wayne Rooney became England's all-time leading goalscorer as Austria secured their qualification for the Euro 2016 finals. Austria sealed their place at Euro 2016 with an impressive 4-1 win away to Sweden on Tuesday.

David Alaba coolly chipped home from the penalty spot after Kim Kallstrom had felled Zlatko Junuzovic inside the area, and Martin Harnik doubled the advantage shortly before the interval with a far-post header.

Marc Janko made it three as he rolled the ball confidently past Andreas Isaksson after being played in by Alaba, before Harnik added a fourth in the closing stages just before Zlatan Ibrahimovic bagged a consolation.

Venue Of Spain vs England Friendly Changed Due To Pique Jeers & Boos

Oh dear, this Pique jeers and boos are stealing the limelight and getting more and more attention. The Barca defender has been singled out by fans and the venue of a whole match has been changed in order to avoid the boos and jeers and to keep the boo boys away.

The proposed international friendly between Spain and England has been moved from the Santiago Bernabeu stadium to Alicante in the wake of La Roja's 2-0 win over Slovakia, a match in which star defender Gerard Pique was once again the subject of abuse from the Spanish fans.

Pique was whistled and jeered throughout the match by large sections of the home fans, and as shared by Barcastuff, it has been happening regularly since the veteran defender spoke out in favour of a referendum regarding Catalan independence

Euro 2016 Qualifiers Review - Rooney Equals Charlton's Record, Spain Goes Top & More

Wayne Rooney scored a record-equalling goal as England secured their place in Euro 2016, while Spain beat Slovakia.

England became the first team to qualify for Euro 2016 by hammering San Marino 6-0, and it was a day to remember for Wayne Rooney as he equalled Bobby Charlton's national goalscoring record.

Rooney has not made the best of starts for Manchester United this season, but the striker found the net with a contentious penalty in Serravalle on Saturday to move level with the legendary Charlton's tally of 49 goals for England.

Spain 2-0 Slovakia: La Roja Tops Group C

 Spain leapfrogged Slovakia to the top of Euro 2016 qualification Group C when a rare Jordi Alba header set the holders on their way to a serene 2-0 victory over the Eastern Europeans in Oviedo on Saturday.

One of the smallest men on the pitch, Alba nodded past Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik from David Silva's beautifully executed cross in only the fifth minute and Andres Iniesta made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after half an hour after Kozacik felled Diego Costa in the area.

Spain ruthlessly dominated possession and restricted the visitors, who surprised them 2-1 in Zilina in October, to the odd counter attack, when they were unable to cause too much trouble for keeper Iker Casillas, making his 100th appearance as captain.

David De Gea Must Play Active Football To Make Europe 2016 - Vicente del Bosque

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says it will be "very difficult" to pick David de Gea for his Euro 2016 squad if the goalkeeper doesn't play regular football this season.

De Gea has not featured for Manchester United so far this term after he informed the club of his desire to join Real Madrid - only for the move to collapse on the final day of the summer transfer window.

Madrid and United agreed a deal for De Gea to move to the Bernabeu, with Keylor Navas moving in the opposite direction, before administrative problems brought the transfer to a halt.

Spanish Showcase: Spanish Teams Have Won The Last 6 UEFA Titles

Having won the last six UEFA titles that have been up for grabs (Real Madrid and Barça in the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup, and Sevilla's Europa League double), history will be made today when Spain becomes the first country to have five representatives in the Champions League group-stage draw.

Valencia made it a high five for Spain when they did enough to go through against none other than Monaco, where the draw is taking place, thereby gaining entry to Europe's elite competition after a two-year gap.

The Champions League has become the ideal stage for Spanish teams to showcase their talents. Since the 2006-07 season (Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Milan), there has been at least one Spanish team amongst the four semi-finalists. And for the last five campaigns in a row at least two Champions League semi-finalists have come from La Liga.

Supercopa De Espana: Luis Enrique Plots Super Come Back Against Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona must make Supercopa de Espana history by overturning a four-goal deficit against Athletic Bilbao in the second leg at Camp Nou.

A daunting task faces Barcelona if Luis Enrique's men are to become the first side in Supercopa de Espana history to overturn a four-goal deficit when they meet Athletic Bilbao on Monday.

Barca were stunned at San Mames on Friday as Aritz Aduriz bagged a hat-trick in Bilbao's emphatic 4-0 first-leg victory, some questionable defending punished by the hosts.

Most Achieved! Andres Iniesta Equals Xavi's Trophies Record

Iniesta is now the joint-most decorated Spanish player of all time alongside Xavi Hernández, having scooped his 28th trophy in the shape of his third UEFA Super Cup.

Few would bet against this extraordinary haul being added to significantly this season, or even before the calendar year is out, with the Spanish Super Cup right around the corner and the Club World Cup to come this winter.

Iniesta made his first-team debut under Louis van Gaal's stewardship in the 2002-03 season. He spent that year and the following one combining playing with the big boys and the reserves, before fully establishing himself in the first-team set-up in 2004-05, when he made 37 appearances in Frank Rijkaard's La Liga-winning team - albeit not always as a starter. This was the first of Iniesta's trophies, but who would have thought so many would follow?

Iniesta To Equal Xavi As The Most Achieved Spanish Player If Barca Wins Uefa Super Cup Tonight

Andres Iniesta is on the verge of creating history tonight as the midfield maestro looks to join Xavi as the most successful player in Spanish history with a win over Sevilla in the Uefa Super cup in Tbilisi.

The Spanish international is on the brink of equaling Xavi’s record of most team honours. The former Barça star has won more trophies than any other Spanish player in history having picked up 28 club and international team honours throughout his career.

Andres iniesta sits on 27 titles and knows that a victory against Spanish rivals Sevilla in tonight’s Uefa Super Cup will cement his legacy alongside his friend and former colleague.

VIDEO: The Much Talked About Sunday Oliseh's Goal Against Spain In France 1998

               

Arsenal Not A Selling Club Anymore - Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his charges are ready to challenge for the title and declared the time for selling the club’s best players is over.

Wenger was speaking to John Dykes ahead of their preseason matches in the Barclays Asia Trophy, featuring Everton, Stoke City and the Singapore XI.

“The time where we had to sell our best players is over for sure,” said Wenger.

SPAIN: El Clasico To Hold In November, April

Spain's new league season will kick off on the weekend of August 23, with "clasico" clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona in November and April, the football federation said on Tuesday.

The headline clashes between the arch rivals will come on November 8 in Madrid and on April 3 in Barcelona, the Royal Spanish Football Federation said after the draw at its headquarters.

League champions Barcelona will look to defend their Spanish league and cup titles as well as their European Champions league crown after a stunning triple last season.

Casillas Is A Natural Leader - Xavi

Former Barcelona star Xavi has lauded "natural" leader Iker Casillas after the goalkeeper's departure from Real Madrid. Casillas ended a 25-year stay with the La Liga giants at the weekend as his move to Primeira Liga outfit Porto was confirmed.

The 162-time Spain international and Xavi clashed many times in the Clasico but also enjoyed many triumphs alongside one another with the national team.

"I have to publicly recognise that I appreciate Iker a lot, and I sincerely think that we have a strong friendship," Xavi wrote in Marca.

BARCELONA: Pedro's Career Hits Crossroad

Barcelona winger Pedro has admitted that his career is at a crossroads this summer. The Spain international has fallen down the pecking order at Camp Nou and the acquisition of Atletico Madrid star Arda Turan brings competition that is expected to further limit his playing time.

Pedro is currently on holiday but will make a decision on his future in the coming days.

"I'm in a tricky position," he is quoted as saying by Marca.