Sporting briefs...

Deco: Portugal midfielder Deco is the latest Barcelona player to miss out on today's top-of-the-table clash with Valencia after suffering a leg strain. Deco, who was injured in training on Thursday, has joined Ronaldinho and Argentine teenager Lionel Messi on the list of high-profile absentees at the Mestalla. Messi is out with a muscle strain while World Player of the Year Ronaldinho is suspended after being sent off in the King's Cup match against Real Zaragoza. Barca's appeal against the red card was turned down by the Spanish Football Federation and the National Committee for Sports Discipline.

Violence: The Mayor of The Hague has banned Ajax supporters from attending today's first division match against ADO Den Haag after hooligans attacked the ADO clubhouse injuring five fans. Mayor Wim Deetman told reporters Ajax supporters would not be allowed into the Zuidarpark stadium. About 70 Ajax supporters attacked the clubhouse on Friday. After the attack police set up motorway road blocks and arrested 10 people.

In Spain: Played yesterday - Cadiz vs Sevilla 0-4; Osasuna vs R. Zaragoza 1-1; A. Bilbao vs Real Madrid 0-2.

In France: Played yesterday - Lens vs Lyon 1-1; Auxerre vs Metz 1-1; Monaco vs Troyes 1-1; Nancy vs St Etienne 2-0; Nantes vs Sochaux 3-1; Bordeaux vs S. Rennes 2-0; Le Mans vs Nice 2-0; Strasbourg vs Ajaccio 2-2.

International Friendly: US beat Japan 3-2.

Athletics: Wallace Spearmon set a new world record for the rarely-run 300 metres at an invitational indoor meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Friday, the American picking up the biggest prize on a night when sprinters excelled. The world championship 200 metres silver medallist banked $25,000 for clocking 31.88 seconds as his compatriot Bershawn Jackson ran the quickest 400 metres of the year (46.00 secs) and Jamaica's Veronica Campbell equalled the fastest 60 metres for 2006 (7.04 secs).

Tennis: Top seed Amelie Mauresmo saved a match point yesterday to repulse a strong challenge from 18-year-old compatriot Tatiana Golovin and set up the first all-French Paris Open final. The world number two defeated Golovin 6-7 7-5 6-2 to qualify for today's final against Mary Pierce, who defeated Swiss Patty Schnyder 6-4 6-2.