Italy Scandal: Prosecutors who uncovered the match-fixing scandal that led to hefty punishments for four of Italy's top teams will take legal action in the coming days involving another two teams, a source said last night. The reliable source said Naples magistrates would, "in the coming hours or days", issue notices telling some 10 people that they had concluded investigations into them - a step before seeking an indictment. Leading daily Corriere della Sera said the teams involved were in Italy's Serie A.
Buffon: Italy's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has decided to stay at Juventus despite the club being ordered to start next season in Italy's second division, the player's agent said yesterday. Buffon, who is considered one of the best keepers in the world, was widely expected by Italian media to make a speedy departure from Juve following the club's spectacular fall from grace in the Serie A match-fixing trial.
O'leary: Aston Villa manager David O'Leary has left the club by mutual agreement, the Premier League team announced late last night. O'Leary is stepping down after an internal inquiry was set up by the board into last week's statement allegedly from the first-team squad criticising chairman Doug Ellis.
Pekerman: Argentina coach Jose Pekerman has confirmed he will not carry on in the job, the football association's president said in a newspaper interview yesterday. The newspaper named 10 possible successors to Pekerman, ranging from Diego Maradona to veteran Carlos Bilardo, who led Argentina to the title in 1986 and second place four years later.
Okocha: Former Nigeria international Jay-Jay Okocha has signed a one-year contract with Qatari first division team Sports Club, while Australia's Tony Popovic is also moving to the Gulf state. Okocha was released by Bolton Wanderers in May. Popovic, Australia's World Cup defender, has also moved to Qatar after the 33-year-old signed a deal with Al Arabi Sports Club.
Cocaine Ban: West Ham midfielder Shaun Newton has been suspended for seven months after testing positive for cocaine, the Football Association said yesterday. The 30-year-old Londoner, who the FA said would be subject to target testing throughout the suspension, was tested after West Ham's FA Cup semi-final win over Middlesbrough on April 23.