Spain

Betis sign Oliveira minutes before transfer window closes

Betis sign Oliveira minutes before transfer window closes Madrid - Spanish Liga club Betis announced late on Saturday night the signing of Ricardo Oliveira from second division Zaragoza.

The deal went through just minutes before the closing of the winter transfer window at midnight on Saturday.

Betis will pay 9 million euros (11.58 million dollars) to Zaragoza for the Brazilian striker.

Oliveira, 28, has signed a contract with Betis which runs until June 2013.

Bilbao come from behind to beat ambitious Malaga

Bilbao come from behind to beat ambitious Malaga Madrid - Malaga stay in seventh place in the Spanish Liga as a result of Saturday's pulsating late 3-2 defeat away to in-form Athletic Bilbao.

Victory in San Mames would have taken Malaga up to fourth and they were twice in the lead, only to collapse in the final minutes.

Bilbao were given a rowdy reception in San Mames because of Wednesday's cup win away to Sporting Gijon. They face Sevilla in the quarter-finals next week.

Real Madrid take Faubert on loan from West Ham

Real Madrid take Faubert on loan from West Ham Madrid  - Real Madrid have agreed with West Ham United to take Julien Faubert on loan until the end of the season, according to Spanish media reports.

According to the digital versions of AS and Marca, Real will pay the East London club 1.5 million euros (1.96 million dollars) for the 25 year-old French winger, with an option to buy him in the summer for 6 million euros.

Real have been looking for another winger since selling Robinho to Manchester City in August.

Spain recognizes suffering of Franco's victims

Spain recognizes suffering of Franco's victims Madrid  - The Spanish government has begun granting certificates recognizing the suffering of General Francisco Franco's leftist victims during the 1936-39 civil war and Franco's ensuing dictatorship, sources of the Justice Ministry said Friday.

The first 42 recipients included the family of former Catalan regional prime minister Lluis Companys, who was sentenced to death by a Francoist tribunal on what is widely regarded as insufficient evidence, and executed in 1940.

Controversy continues over Spanish judicial probe into Gaza attack

Controversy continues over Spanish judicial probe into Gaza attack Madrid - Controversy continued in Spain on Friday over a National Court judge's decision to investigate a former Israeli defence minister and six military officers or officials over a 2002 bombing in Gaza Strip as a possible crime against humanity.

Israeli ambassador Rafael Schutz warned about a possible deterioration of diplomatic relations between Spain and Israel, while a far-left party warned the government against trying to intervene against the judicial probe.

Barcelona captain Puyol out for 10 days with pulled muscle

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