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Marseille held second-place Auxerre to a 0-0 draw Friday to keep its five-point lead atop the standings and boost its chances to win a first French league title in 18 years. Marseille has 72 points from 35 matches, and could clinch the title in the next round if it beats Rennes and Auxerre fails to win at Lyon.

* Marseille chasing first crown since 1992

Sven-Goran Eriksson believes the experience of two World Cups with England will help him turn Ivory Coast’s talented individuals into a team capable of making an impact at this year’s tournament in South Africa. The 62-year-old Swede, who took England to the quarterfinals in 2002 and 2006, has one of the toughest jobs of the 2010 World Cup when his Ivory Coast stars come up against Brazil…

Former Germany great Gerd Mueller says Brazil is the favorite to win the World Cup, and his own country doesn’t have a good team. Mueller, one of the heroes of Germany’s 1974 World Cup triumph at home, says Germany coach Joachim Loew is being stubborn for still not picking Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi for the World Cup.

Premier League players Steven Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena and Benni McCarthy were included Friday in South Africa’s squad for its final training camp ahead of the World Cup. South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira named the trio in his 29-man group shortly after returning from a 19-day training camp in Germany.

Barcelona says its membership will vote for president Joan Laporta’s replacement on June 13. Barcelona says candidates can register for the June 4-11 election campaign between May 25 and June 1 if they collect at least 2,095 signatures. Laporta, who has been president since 2003, leaves the Spanish champions having presided over one of the most successful periods in the Catalan club’s…

Bundesliga could overtake Serie A.

JAMES PIERCY STATS European Football Writer=

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South Korea have named a preliminary squad of 30 players for the 2010 World Cup finals, with coach Huh Jung-Moo springing few surprises with his selection.