Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi and his father are being investigated in Spain for allegedly defrauding the state of more than four million Euros. Officials say the 25-year-old Argentina forward and his father, Jorge
Horacio, are suspected of filing fraudulent tax returns for 2007-09.  The World Player of the Year expressed his surprise, denying the allegation. His Barcelona net salary is said to be some 16 million Euros Euros a year, making him one of the world's highest-paid athletes.

Nigeria drew 1-1 with Namibia in their World Cup qualifier to set up a group decider against Malawi, for a place in the play-offs for the 2014 tournament. The African champions needed a win to take an unassailable four-point lead in Group F with one game to play. But the Super Eagles were lucky to get a point when Godfrey Oboabona equalized with seven minutes remaining. Deon Hotto Kavendji had put the
Brave Warriors ahead six minutes earlier at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

England Under-21s manager Stuart Pearce says his players did not deliver at the European Championship in Israel. He also blamed the 13 players who pulled out of the squad before the tournament. His side was beaten in all three group matches and scored just one goal, losing their final game 1-0 to hosts Israel yesterday. Pearce said he would not be resigning but will discuss his future with the FA when he returns home.

Nigeria yesterday maintained leadership of Group F of African qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup, after beating hosts Kenya 1-0 in their second leg tie in Kasarani. Nigeria now has eight points from four matches, while Kenya is bottom of the log with two points. All Nigeria needed was an 81st minute strike from CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa to give Nigeria the needed victory. The other Group F match between Malawi and Namibia ended goalless in Blantyre, leaving the hosts with six points in four matches.