Fan violence: Germany's FA (DFB) yesterday appointed the former chief of an elite police special unit to head efforts to improve security after a rise in fan violence in the country's lower leagues. The DFB said Helmut Spahn, 45, who was also in charge of security for Germany's World Cup organising committee, would take up the post that has been created to fight violence.
Senderos: Switzerland defender Philippe Senderos has been recalled up for next Wednesday's friendly against Brazil. The 21-year-old Arsenal player, who dislocated his shoulder during Switzerland's World Cup group stage win over South Korea on June 23, has been named in a 27-man squad by coach Koebi Kuhn. Before yesterday, Senderos has played just one cup match for Arsenal since recovering from the injury, spending the last three league and Champions League matches on the bench.
Chief executive: Ben Buckley has been named chief executive officer of Football Federation Australia (FFA). Buckley, former chief operating officer of Australian Rules body the AFL, will replace John O'Neill, who is stepping down after three years in charge. Buckley, who played for North Melbourne's Kangaroos in the AFL from 1986-93, was formerly director of marketing for Nike Australia and Nike Japan,.
Xavier: Former Portugal defender Abel Xavier has signed a contract with Premier League side Middlesbrough until the end of the season after completing a ban for doping. Middlesbrough cancelled his contract in January after an appeal against a positive test for the performance-enhancing steroid dianabol was rejected by UEFA. Mozambique-born Xavier, who joined Middlesbrough from Roma in August last year, became the first Premier League player to be banned for doping when he failed a test after a UEFA Cup tie against Xanthi the following month.
Betis uncertainty: Real Betis president Jose Leon tendered his resignation to the majority shareholder Manuel Ruiz de Lopera this week to set in motion a presidential election at the struggling Primera Liga club. Leon had been in the post since the beginning of July only when de Lopera stepped aside after 14 years at the helm, though the latter remained a controlling influence behind the scenes. Betis are without a win in eight games.
Marseille: Marseille chairman Pape Diouf believes coach Albert Emon should remain in charge of the team even though they have had a run of poor results. The former European champions have lost their last four competitive matches and have dropped from second to sixth in the Ligue 1 standings. "It is Albert Emon who guided the team to the top of the standings and I don't see why he should resign even if, to be honest, I have to add that no coach is appointed for life," Diouf said.