Sporting briefs...

Tunnel Bicker: Brazilian arch-rivals Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro have become involved in a row over who uses which tunnel in Sunday's derby in Belo Horizonte. Cruzeiro traditionally use the right-hand tunnel at the Mineirao stadium but Atletico say they are officially the home team this time and they want to use it. Cruzeiro spokesman Valdir Barbosa said his club traditionally use the right-hand side, which is nearer to their fans. "It goes back 40 years. Cruzeiro are on the right and Atletico on the left," he said. The sides, who share one of the oldest rivalries in South America, will not meet in this year's Brazilian championship, where Atletico have been relegated to the second division.

Touchline ban: Olympique Marseille coach Jean Fernandez will watch tomorrow's UEFA Cup tie at Zenit St Petersburg from the stands after being given a one-match touchline ban. Fernandez, whose assistant Albert Emon has also been banned for one match, was reported for comments made to the referee after last week's 1-0 defeat in their last 16 first leg match at the Stade Velodrome. Fernandez has also been fined 1,900 euros.

Johnstone: Celtic will honour the memory of former winger Jimmy Johnstone by wearing his number seven on their shorts in Sunday's League Cup final against Dunfermline. Johnstone, a member of the Celtic side who became Britain's first European Cup winners in 1967, died at the age of 61 on Monday after a long illness.

Marquez: Barcelona's Mexican international Rafael Marquez said he hoped to end his career with the Primera Liga leaders and dismissed reports linking him with Chelsea. "I still have one year of my contract to go but my priority is Barcelona and I don't know anything about another offer," Marquez said.

Germany Squad: Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann has surprisingly called up FSV Mainz defender Manuel Friedrich for a World Cup warm-up against the United States next week. The 26-year-old is the only uncapped player in the 23-man squad selected yesterday for the game on March 22 in Dortmund. Klinsmann also picked midfielder Sebastian Kehl from Borussia Dortmund in an apparent gesture to the local fans.

Villa: Spain striker David Villa has extended his contract with Valencia until 2013, the Primera Liga club said. "I hope the player continues to show the same scent for goal that he is showing now, and that he goes on to make history at the club," Valencia sporting director Javier Subirats said.