Sporting Briefs...

Beckenbauer: Franz Beckenbauer said he would be interested in running for the job of UEFA president, but ruled out a bid to become president of FIFA in the foreseeable future. Beckenbauer, 60, said he would be interested in standing for the UEFA presidency if Lennart Johansson, 76, was to retire. Beckenbauer was responding to comments made by Sepp Blatter in which the Swiss was quoted as saying that Beckenbauer did not want to be FIFA president, nor could he be because of his other commitments. Beckenbauer, who is not an elected member of any FIFA body, has long been regarded as a candidate for high office in both UEFA and FIFA.

German prayers: Germany's World Cup players are praying for Juventus team manager Gianluca Pessotto, coach Juergen Klinsmann said yesterday. Pessotto, the former defender, is in a serious condition after falling from a window at the Serie A club's headquarters. "We've been talking about him at the team hotel," Klinsmann, who spent part of his playing career in Italy, said yesterday. "We're thinking about him, praying for him."

Senderos: Switzerland and Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos said yesterday he had undergone surgery on an injured shoulder. "The operation went well," he said. Senderos said he was unsure how long he would be out of action after Tuesday's operation in London. Senderos dislocated his shoulder during Switzerland's 2-0 group stage win over South Korea a week ago. He missed the Last 16 defeat by Ukraine.

Sanz: Real Madrid presidential candidate Lorenzo Sanz says he will bring five players to the club if he wins the election on Sunday, including Brazil's Emerson and England's Michael Carrick. "These players have agreements with my technical staff who, if we win the election, will resign if we are not able to carry out the deals on Monday," Sanz said. "They are Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz, Italian defender Gianluca Zambrotta, England midfielder Michael Carrick, Brazil midfielder Emerson and Argentinian midfielder Fernando Gago, who plays for Boca Juniors."

Calderon: Real Madrid presidential candidate Ramon Calderon says he has an agreement with the agent of Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas that the player will come to the club if Calderon is elected. Calderon's sports director Predrag Mijatovic said: "We can't reach an agreement with Arsenal because we do not represent Real Madrid yet, but if we win I am sure he will come. We have an agreement signed with Arjen Robben and we are working hard to secure Kaka, who wants to come to Madrid."

Pernia: Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Mariano Pernia on a four-year contract. The 29-year-old Argentine-born left-back gained dual Spanish nationality and was surprisingly called into Spain's World Cup squad to replace the injured Asier del Horno. He moves from Getafe where he finished joint-top scorer last season with 10 goals.