BEIJING (AFP) — Chinese football has been languishing in the doldrums for years but under new coach Gao Hongbo the national side could be turning a co

Sir Alex Ferguson pinpointed the absence of Darren Fletcher as a major reason for Manchester United's Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona. Fletcher missed the 2-0 defeat in Rome through suspension following a red card in the semi-final second leg against Arsenal and Ferguson claimed his side missed the Scotland international's midfield energy. United were out-run and out-passed in the centre of the pitch and failed to find anything like their top form on a disappointing night. Speaking about Fletcher's absence, Ferguson said: "I thought before the game it may have been a problem. "I knew it might count against us because he is a big-game player and he was a big loss for us.