MADRID, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - Barcelona defender Oleguer Presas is in hot water with the Spanish side after taking part in the shakedown for the Rally of Catalonia as co-pilot to Xevi Pons despite it being against club rules to participate in dangerous activities, sports daily Marca reported on Friday.

Pons and Presas clocked the second fastest time behind triple world champion Sebastien Loeb of France.

'It was an interesting experience, I'm very happy to have done it,' said Presas who arrived late at training in the Nou Camp afterwards.

BARCELONA, Sept 22, 2007 (AFP) - Barcelona's under-fire Brazil forward Ronaldinho has pulled out of Saturday's title clash with Sevilla at Camp Nou complaining of a calf problem in his right leg.

'The player finished Friday's training session with discomfort due to a pulled calf muscle in his right leg and this has continued today,' read a statement on the Barcelona website.

'He is out of the match against Sevilla and in the next few days we'll see if his progress will allow him to be available for the upcoming games.'

AMSTERDAM, Sept 21, 2007 (AFP) - After exhibitions on Glasgow, Vienna and Prague 1900, the Van Gogh Museum on Friday opened 'Barcelona 1900' which tells the story of the transformation of the Spanish city at the turn of the century.

From 1880 to 1909 the city underwent enormous architectural development and flourished socially and artistically. In that era the many painters, musicians, architects and silversmiths but also industrialists and workers made Barcelona 'The Paris of the South' or 'The Catalan Manchester.'

BARCELONA, Spain, July 31, 2007 (AFP) - Barcelona is the latest European city to take to a low-cost bicycle rental service, with the authorities expanding it several times already this year to meet demand.

The authorities in Spain's second-largest city launched the bicycle scheme in March together with global advertising company Clear Channel Outdoor. At its launch there were just 200 red framed bicycles spread out at 14 stations across the city.

BARCELONA, Spain, July 31, 2007 (AFP) - Barcelona is the latest European city to take to a low-cost bicycle rental service, with the authorities expanding it several times already this year to meet demand.

The authorities in Spain's second-largest city launched the bicycle scheme in March together with global advertising company Clear Channel Outdoor. At its launch there were just 200 red framed bicycles spread out at 14 stations across the city.

DUNDEE, Scotland, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - French international striker Thierry Henry enjoyed a goal-scoring debut for Barcelona as the Spanish giants defeated Scottish Premier League side Dundee United 1-0 in a friendly on Thursday.

The former Arsenal star, who came on as a second-half substitute at Tannadice, found the net from the penalty spot in the last minute of the game after defender Darren Dods had fouled Giovani.

United goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski saved the first effort but Henry, who had come on for Samuel Eto`o, followed up to score from the rebound.

LONDON, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Frank Rijkaard insists Barcelona have no plans to sign Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

Lampard has yet to agree a new contract with Chelsea and has repeatedly been linked with a move to the Nou Camp.

Rijkaard and Barca star Ronaldinho both admitted Lampard would be a great addition to any team, but the Catalan club`s boss played down talk of a 15 million pounds move for the England star.

MADRID, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Spanish gaints Barcelona will step up measures aimed at enforcing player discipline after a series of bust-ups that damaged the team`s performance last season.

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain said a new body would be set-up to enforce club rules which will be made up of himself, coach Frank Rijkaard, president Joan Laporta and five players.

'Sometimes the three can`t cover everything so we`ll create a committee of five players who will be a group that hold sway over the dressing room,' he told Catalan daily newspaper El Periodico.