Sporting briefs...

Bodyguards: Two bodyguards will escort the German national squad to Paris for their friendly against France tomorrow because of urban violence that has flared across the country. Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff said the extra security was a necessary precaution because of the turmoil. "We don't want to leave anything to chance," Bierhoff said. The guards will stay in the same hotel as the team, which travels to Paris today. The violence in France dropped for the third straight night on Wednesday after the government adopted emergency powers.

Arena: United States coach Bruce Arena said his team will not take Scotland lightly in tomorrow's friendly despite the gulf in world rankings. The US, who have qualified for the World Cup, are ranked seventh on FIFA's list with Scotland down in 62nd place. "We don't look at world rankings and say we are seven and they are 60 or whatever and that means an easy game," Arena said. "You have to step on the field each and every game now at international soccer and be prepared to play, if not you lose."

Match-Fixing: Vietnamese police arrested another referee and a coach yesterday as part of their investigation into soccer match-fixing, state media reported. Police have pressed criminal charges against 17 referees, coaches and sports officials for match-fixing. Nguyen Thanh Vinh, coach of league side East Asia Bank-Pomina Steel, was charged with "giving bribes" of $8,200 to referees during a pivotal match of the last V-league season.

Abidal: Olympique Lyon defender Eric Abidal will miss France's friendly international against Germany tomorrow at the Stade de France because of injury. Abidal hurt his left ankle and had to be substituted 15 minutes into France's 3-2 friendly win over Costa Rica on Wednesday in Martinique.