Sporting briefs...

Cole tap-up: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he believes Chelsea did "tap up" his England defender Ashley Cole about a transfer to Stamford Bridge. Newspapers last weekend reported that Chelsea have admitted that a meeting took place, while the Premier League continues its inquiry into the case. "This case is very sad because you expect your neighbours with that power not to behave like that," Wenger said. "I am convinced that a meeting took place, although that has not been confirmed."

Kuijt: Dutch international striker Dirk Kuijt has extended his contract with Feyenoord until 2009, the club's technical director Mark Wotte said yesterday. Kuijt joined the Dutch first division side in 2003 and scored 20 goals in his first season. The league's top scorer has become a regular in the Dutch squad this season, collecting six caps and one goal.

Wanchope: Malaga striker Paulo Wanchope says he was involved in a scuffle with the club's fans after they racially abused him after a league match on Saturday. The Costa Rican said he was attacked when he went to confront the fans who had used a megaphone to shout abuse at him following his side's 2-1 defeat at home to Real Betis. "It all started because one of the fans started to shout insults through the megaphone," Wanchope said. The 28-year-old former Manchester City player, said that he may have over-reacted, but that the fans had been responsible for the incident.

Mezague: Valery Mezague has been recalled to Cameroon's squad for the World Cup qualifier against Sudan in Yaounde on March 27. The French-born Portsmouth midfielder, who won the last of his seven caps in April, is one of four changes to Portuguese coach Artur Jorge's squad following Cam-eroon's 1-0 win over Senegal in a friendly played in France last month.

In Spain: Weekend results - Barcelona vs A. Bilbao 2-0; Malaga vs Real Betis 1-2; Albacete vs Deportivo 0-1; Getafe vs Real Madrid 2-1; Levante vs Osasuna 4-0; R. Santander vs R. Mallorca 3-0; R. Sociedad vs Numancia 2-1; Sevilla vs R. Zaragoza 0-1; Villarreal vs Espanyol 4-1. Leading standings - Barcelona 65; Real Madrid 54; Villarreal 47; Espanyol, Real Betis 45; Sevilla, Valencia 43; Deportivo 42.

In Scotland: Rangers clinched a 2-0 win at Dundee with two late goals to restore their four-point lead over champions Celtic in the Scottish Premier League yesterday. Defender Marvin Andrews made the breakthrough with a headed goal after 81 minutes and two minutes later Fernando Ricksen cracked home a decisive second. Rangers are top on 75 points from 30 matches while Celtic, who thrashed Dunfermline 6-0 on Saturday, are second with 71 points from 28 games.

In France: Ligue 1 - Lille vs Toulouse 1-1.