Indian farmers on Tuesday threatened to disrupt the country's first Formula One race later this month, angry over the way in which their land was acquired for the new track.

The farmers say that they have not been adequately compensated for the land that was given to race organizers to build the $350-million circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi.

Former England captain Alan Shearer is confident that £35 million Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has the ability to forge a successful career for club and country.

Shearer told several newspapers on Tuesday that the 22-year-old former Newcastle center-forward would overcome a slow start to his Anfield career and establish himself in the England team.

Barcelona's Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay will be sidelined for about six months after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee, the Spanish club said Tuesday.

The 25-year-old, who signed with Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven in December, picked up the injury during a training session on September 22. He underwent the 50-minute operation at a Barcelona hospital on Monday.

The athletics track at London's Olympic Stadium, which will host next year's games, was inaugurated on Monday.

The red synthetic rubber track, made by an Italian firm, was tested by several athletes including middle-distance runner Hannah England, who won a 1500m silver medal at the recent world championships.

Caroline Wozniacki may not have won a Grand Slam, but the top seed at the China Open says she knows what Roland Garros winner Li Na is going through after a humiliating first-round exit in Beijing.

Home idol Li was bundled out in straight sets at the weekend by qualifier Monica Niculescu of Romania, earning the wrath of China's tennis fans.

Defending champions Barcelona went top of La Liga on Sunday with a labored 1-0 win at rock-bottom Sporting Gijon while Gonzalo Higuain blasted a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-0 cruise at Espanyol.

An injury-plagued Barcelona moved into first place with 14 points as Adriano gave them their first away win of the season.

A bid by ousted Asian football chief Mohammed bin Hammam to block the appointment of his replacement has been denied by a sports arbitration court, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Monday.

The 62-year-old Qatari was handed a lifetime ban from the sport in July after he was found guilty of trying to buy votes in the FIFA presidential race by offering Caribbean football officials $40,000 each.

Manchester City officials confirmed on Monday that they are due to open talks with Carlos Tevez over the striker's refusal to play in a Champions League match at Bayern Munich last week.

Tevez has been suspended for two weeks after reportedly refusing to come on as a substitute during his side's 2-0 defeat at Munich's Allianz Arena.

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal cannot be regarded as title contenders after falling 12 points behind leaders Manchester United following their 2-1 defeat at north London rivals Tottenham.

Wenger endured another frustrating day as his side crashed to their fourth loss in seven league games at White Hart Lane.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri insisted there was nothing to worry about despite a 2-0 defeat at Juventus leaving his side 15th in Serie A.

Although the season is only five matches old, champions Milan have managed just one victory in the league and are two points above the relegation zone.