"This is a real statement of intent as to the ambitions of Manchester City," team manager Mark Hughes said on City's Web site. "To compete with the best teams in the Premier League we have to be in the market for players of this caliber."

City, which last won a major soccer trophy in 1976, completed the acquisition from Real Madrid with minutes to spare before the deadline for transfers. In doing so, new owner — Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment — usurped Chelsea's bid for the forward and overshadowed Dimitar Berbatov's move to crosstown rival Manchester United.

City agreed to pay Madrid 42 million euros ($61.2 million) for Robinho, who will receive 6 million euros a year after tax, according to Sky Sports. Real didn't initially disclose the fee.

The deal was sealed hours after Thaksin Shinawatra agreed to sell the team to the Abu Dhabi investment company. It also came a day after Robinho, 24, held a press conference stating his desire to join Chelsea, the runner-up to Manchester United in the Premier League and Europe's Champions League last season.

Gustav wreaks havoc

The World Cup qualifying match between Jamaica and Mexico scheduled for Saturday has been moved because of damage caused in the Caribbean by Hurricane Gustav, FIFA said Tuesday.

The two countries will play at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City instead of the Jamaican capital of Kingston.

The return match scheduled for Oct. 11 in Mexico City will now be played at Jamaica's National Stadium.

Jamaica and Mexico are drawn with Canada and Honduras in Group 2 of the third stage of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The winner and runner-up in each group will go forward to the fourth stage.

A soccer riot in Italy

Government and sports officials reacted with outrage Monday after the opening weekend of the Italian soccer season was marred by Napoli fans rioting on a train to Rome.

A group of several hundred Napoli supporters launched firecrackers, broke windows, slashed seats open and caused $730,000 worth of damage to the train Sunday, Italian media reported. Rome's transport agency said some of its buses were also vandalized, causing $88,000 in damage.

At least four railway workers were injured, reports said, and more violence erupted when the train reached Rome for the AS Roma-Napoli game, which ended 1-1. Rome police reported five arrests near the stadium.

Italian soccer federation president Giancarlo Abete called for serious measures "against these delinquents who ruin the image of soccer on a national and international level. ... Soccer is not represented by these people."

Napoli fans may be barred from away games for the rest of the season.