Sporting briefs...

Foreign refs: Bulgarian league leaders Levski Sofia are unhappy with the standard of domestic referees and are considering asking foreign officials to take charge of some of their matches. Four officials have been suspended by the BFU for making...

Foreign refs: Bulgarian league leaders Levski Sofia are unhappy with the standard of domestic referees and are considering asking foreign officials to take charge of some of their matches. Four officials have been suspended by the BFU for making significant errors during games this season. Germany's Michael Weiner officiated a league game between Litex Lovech and Levski in November.

Refs' Fault: Romanian Ioan Andone has resigned as coach of Cyprus club Omonia Nicosia citing problems with referees in the island's domestic league. "The main factor behind this decision is unfortunately the refereeing which is, with its decisions, ruling the results of games and is making its own course with regards to the championship, deciding who will be champions and which teams will be relegated," Andone said.

Tottenham: Tottenham could have England winger Aaron Lennon and striker Robbie Keane available for their testing trip to Cardiff City today, although captain Ledley King will be absent with a foot injury. Keane and Lennon both missed the hectic holiday fixtures with knee injuries.

Smertin: Former Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin has been axed by Russian premier league club Dynamo Moscow, who are making wholesale changes after barely avoiding relegation last year. Ex-Russia captain Smertin, 31, was also dropped from the national team by manager Guus Hiddink.

Stokes: Falkirk manager John Hughes admits there is no chance of Anthony Stokes returning to the Scottish Premier League club. Hughes expects Arsenal to sell Stokes this month, ruling out the prospect of the striker returning for a second spell on loan at the Falkirk Stadium. "It's unfortunate but we're very thankful for what he's done for Falkirk," he said. Stokes, 18, is top scorer with 16 goals north of the border.

Friendly: Denmark will host Ireland in a friendly international in Aarhus on Feb. 22. The sides last met in 2002 in Dublin with the home team winning 3-0.

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

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