Sporting Briefs

FIFA: Ismail Bhamjee has resigned his position on the powerful FIFA executive committee and all other sports administration posts in the wake of a World Cup ticket scandal. Bhamjee, sent home from the World Cup finals after selling tickets in Germany in June, wrote to FIFA last week to tell them of his decision. The Botswana-based administrator admitted selling 12 tickets at three times their face value for the World Cup match between England and Trinidad & Tobago in Nuremberg.

Anelka: France striker Nicolas Anelka was quoted as saying he was hoping to sign for Premier League side Bolton in the next few days. "My wish is to return to the Premier League and it could materialise soon," Anelka, who is under contract with Turkish side Fenerbahce, said. "I have an agreement with Bolton on the basis of a four-year contract," he added.

Bobby Robson: Former England manager Bobby Robson is to have surgery to remove a brain tumour. Robson told the Mail on Sunday in an interview: "On Wednesday I will have an operation to remove the tumour and as surgeons tell me the rest of my body is clean I should be able to make a full recovery." Robson has recovered from three bouts of cancer in the last 15 years.

Larsson: Helsingborg striker Henrik Larsson faces a police investigation after being accused of punching an opponent during a match. In the first half of the Swedish Cup quarter-final against Elfsborg on Saturday, Larsson allegedly jabbed defender Jon Jonsson in the stomach. Jonsson fell to the ground in pain and was unable to continue the game. A "private person" reported the incident to the police, Swedish papers reported yesterday. The referee did not see the incident.

Miguez dies: Former Uruguay forward Oscar Miguez, who helped his country shock hosts Brazil by beating them 2-1 in the 1950 World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, has died at the age of 78. Miguez, Uruguay's highest scorer in World Cups with five goals in the 1950 tournament and another three in Switzerland in 1954, died on Saturday of a heart illness.

Argentina: Londoners will witness the first appearance in international soccer of gifted teenage striker Sergio Aguero when Argentina meet Brazil in a friendly at Arsenal's Emirates stadium next month. Aguero has been picked along with teenager Lionel Messi of Barcelona in new coach Alfio Basile's squad for the Sept. 3 match.

In Portugal: Super Cup - Porto vs Vitoria Setubal 3-0.

Snooker: Northern Ireland Trophy final - Ding bt O'Sullivan 9-6.