Sporting briefs...

Kameni: Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni will be disciplined by his club Espanyol after returning late from international duty at the African Nations Cup. "He has explained why he was late, but for us he had no justification," Espanyol's sporting director Cristobal Parralo said. Cameroon were knocked out on penalties by Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals on February 4.

Noise limits: Germany is planning to waive noise limits for outdoor parties during the World Cup so soccer fans will be able to carouse well into the night during the month-long tournament. Under existing rules, German police can close down rowdy open air events at 10 p.m. Some World Cup matches are due to end at around 11 p.m. and with the possibility of extra-time and penalties in later rounds, games could continue almost until midnight. Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said he intended to give Germany's federal states and city mayors free rein to decide when to end festivities.

2018 World Cup: The Netherlands is considering a joint bid with Belgium to stage the 2018 World Cup, according to the chairman of the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB). "We could organise the 2018 World Cup together with the Belgians and be in the spotlight for four years as a country and football nation," Jeu Sprengers said. The World Cup will almost certainly be hosted by a European country in 2018, he said, adding that he would approach his Belgian counterparts this year. The small European neighbours co-hosted the Euro 2000 tournament.

French Cup: Third round draw - Colmar (V) vs Rennes (I); Marseille (I) vs Chateauroux (II) or Sochaux (I); Lyon-La Duchere (IV) vs Paris SG (I); Calais (IV) vs Brest (II); Lyon (I) vs Bastia (II); Nantes (I) vs Dijon (II); Montpellier (II) or Royes (IV) vs Bordeaux (I); Vitre (IV) vs Lille (I). Games will be played on March 21 and 22.

In Greece: Panathinaikos kept alive their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season when they came back from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at Panionios yesterday. The victory leaves them third in the first division on 39 points, six behind second-placed AEK Athens who kept in touch with leaders Olympiakos Piraeus with a 1-0 win over Larissa. Olympiakos can restore their lead at the top to six points with a win at bottom club Akratitos today.

In Spain: Weekend results - Alaves vs Malaga 3-2; Celta Vigo vs Villarreal 1-0; Espanyol vs Santander 0-2; Mallorca vs Getafe 1-1; Real Betis vs Deportivo 0-1; A. Bilbao vs R. Madrid 0-2; Cadiz vs Sevilla 0-4; Osasuna vs Zaragoza 1-1; A. Madrid vs R. Sociedad 1-0; Valencia vs Barcelona 1-0. Leading standings - Barcelona 52; Valencia 46; Real Madrid 45 Osasuna 43; Celta Vigo 39; Sevilla 38; Deportivo 36; Villarreal 35.

In France: Ligue 1 - Olympique Marseille vs Toulouse 0-0; Lille vs Paris St Germain 0-0.