Sporting briefs...

Pires: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has no problem with midfielder Robert Pires talking to Champions League semi-final opponents Villarreal about a move to the Spanish club. The 32-year-old Frenchman admitted last week that Villarreal want to sign him on a two-year deal when his Arsenal contract expires at the end of the season. "Of course, it can look disturbing," Wenger said. "But I do not think it is because it is always in your best interests to perform. Robert Pires arrived at Arsenal in 2000 and has had six great years. We are offering him one more great year but he is completely free to speak with whom he wants. I am not shocked by that. I can understand it."

Red Star: Red Star Belgrade lifted their 24th league title yesterday after a 2-0 win against OFK Belgrade left them nine points clear at the top of the Serbia and Montenegro first division. With three matches to go, Walter Zenga's Red Star have an unassailable lead over last season's champions and closest rivals Partizan Belgrade because they have a better head-to-head league record against their traditional foes this season. The league's top scorer Dusan Djokic, who joined Red Star from city rivals Vozdovac Belgrade during the winter break, scored either side of the break to delight the 10,000 crowd.

Gerrard: England midfielder Steven Gerrard says he remains committed to the club and won't listen to speculation linking him with Real Madrid. Gerrard was close to signing for Chelsea two years ago and signed a new contract last summer after making a u-turn to stay at Anfield after saying he wanted a move. Last week Real Madrid football director Benito Floro said the Spanish side viewed Gerrard as a replacement for Zinedine Zidane should the Frenchman retire after the World Cup. "I'll be staying here until the day someone tells me they don't want me," Gerrard said. "I'm not going to get involved in all that kind of speculation again."

Ronaldinho: Barcelona forward Ronaldinho has been left out of the squad to play Sevilla in the Primera Liga today, due to a muscle problem. "During training on Friday, Ronaldinho suffered bruising to his right thigh and will miss the next game to continue his treatment," a statement on the Barcelona website said. Injured defender Oleguer and Sweden striker Henrik Larsson were also left out of the side.

Kanoute: Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute will miss the return leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final against Schalke 04 this week with a thigh injury. The Mali forward limped off in the first half of Thursday's goalless first leg, after suffering a recurrence of a previous injury, and will be out for up to three weeks.

Maccabi Haifa: Maccabi Haifa won the Israeli league championship for a third season in a row yesterday without kicking a ball after Hapoel Tel Aviv, their only challengers, could only draw with Ashdod SC. Haifa, who play tonight, lead the Premier League standings by 10 points and Hapoel have only three matches left. Haifa's dominance was most significant at the beginning of the season when they notched 11 consecutive victories and led the standings by 15 points. Haifa's hat-trick of titles and their fifth in the past six seasons has confirmed the club from the northern port city as the Israel's best outfit over the past two decades.

In Spain: Primera Liga - Villarreal vs Real Sociedad 0-2; Alaves vs Atletico Madrid 0-1.

In France: League Cup final - Nancy vs Nice 2-1.