Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur both advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa League as winners of their groups on Thursday as the likes of Fiorentina, Marseille and Anderlecht also progressed to the last 32.

However, the two English representatives -- who will be joined in the draw for the next round by Manchester United after their Champions League exit -- concluded their group stage campaigns in contrasting fashion.

The French Football Federation (FFF) on Thursday indefinitely suspended star striker Karim Benzema because of criminal charges of involvement in a sex-tape blackmail attempt against teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Federation president Noel Le Graet said the suspension would include the 2016 European Championship to be held in France -- which get underway in exactly six months -- unless the case was settled.

Rafael Nadal cast doubt Thursday on whether he could win another Grand Slam after his long reign as French Open champion ended in 2015 and his rankings slid during the worst year of his career.

The 29-year-old Spaniard said he was working hard to return to form and was happy with the way the year ended after a resurgence at the World Tour finals in London in November.

French international striker Andre-Pierre Gignac shocked many in the football world when he snubbed some major European teams to sign for a Mexican club six months ago, but his gamble is paying off.

His Tigres of Monterrey are in a domestic final, he's among the top scorers and fans love the former Marseille star, waving French flags at games -- while one couple named their baby after him.

In the same week that Michel Platini fights to save his career, the draw for the finals of the expanded 24-team European Championship that he championed takes place in Paris on Saturday.

The former France star, who propelled his country to glory as a player when they last hosted the Europeans in 1984, was widely criticized in his role as the UEFA president for changing the format of a tournament that had been so compelling with 16 teams, in particular in 2012 when Spain triumphed in Poland and Ukraine.

Rogerio Ceni, the highest-scoring goalkeeper in history, charmed the world with his golden boots, but it is his magical gloves that will be most missed at the club where he spent his career, Brazil's Sao Paulo.

Ceni, who was Sao Paulo's go-to man for free kicks and penalties, scored 131 goals in his 25-year professional career -- far more than any other keeper.

Jose Mourinho hopes Chelsea's progress to the Champions League last 16 will restore his side's shattered confidence and help save his job.

Mourinho was on the brink of being sacked until Chelsea avoided elimination from Europe's elite club competition with a 2-0 win over Porto at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The Boston Celtics warmed up for their critical game against the streaking Golden State Warriors on Friday night by holding on to beat the Chicago Bulls 105-100 Wednesday at the Boston Garden.

Forward David Lee scored six points and guard Evan Turner had two points and three assists during a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter for the Celtics who turned a 77-77 tie into an 87-77 lead with 6:55 left on the clock.

The president of Roma, James Pallotta, launched an astonishing attack on media Wednesday, accusing them of "beating up" the Serie A club's players.

Roma squeezed into the last 16 of the Champions League after a dire scoreless draw at home to Belarusian champions BATE Borisov on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola celebrated his 100th win as Bayern Munich coach as Robert Lewandowski scored both goals in Wednesday's 2-0 Champions League win at Dinamo Zagreb.

Bayern had already secured their place in the next round as Group F winners before the match at the Maksimir stadium in Zagreb which saw Guardiola reach his landmark figure in just 132 games at the Bavarian giants.