Sporting briefs...

Late kick-off: The Italian government confirmed yesterday that Roma's Champions League last 16 first-leg match against Olympique Lyon on Feb. 21 would kick off at the scheduled time of 8.45 p.m. All night matches in Italy were suspended as part of a new anti-hooligan plan introduced following the death of policeman Filippo Raciti outside a Serie A match on Feb. 2. "We didn't doubt that (we would get approval for the late kick off) because we know the Olympic Stadium is safe," Roma's sporting director Daniele Prade said.

Chelsea tour: Chelsea will tour China in 2008, the club announced yesterday. Paul Smith, Chelsea's business affairs director, said: "As part of our commitment to developing football in China, Chelsea will be touring in China in 2008. We will be taking our first team and playing games on the mainland." Chelsea have been hosting members of the Chinese Under-21 team for the past two weeks, but the visit has not run entirely smoothly with a 30-man brawl breaking out between the Chinese team and QPR last week.

Schalke: Schalke 04 midfielder Gustavo Varela has returned to Uruguay to have surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, the club said. The 28-year-old Uruguayan international suffered the injury in Saturday's 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin.

Fined: Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough have been fined and warned about their future conduct for failing to control their players in a touchline melee during a Premier League match at White Hart Lane on Dec. 5. Tottenham were fined £8,000, £4,000 of which was suspended for 12 months, and Middlesbrough fined £4,000 (£2,000 suspended), the FA said.

Matches postponed: Around 60 German regional matches in the eastern state of Saxony will be postponed this weekend after Lokomotive Leipzig fans assaulted about 300 police last week. "This is a sign to the outside world of our solidarity with the police officers who were the victims of violence," said Anja Kunick, a spokeswoman for the Saxon soccer federation (SFV). The incident in Leipzig came after Italy suspended all soccer matches for one week after the death of policeman Filippo Raciti during rioting outside a Serie A match between Catania and Palermo.

Manchester United: Manchester United have appointed Michael Bolingbroke as their first chief operating officer to be responsible for the daily operations of the club as of the end of May. "I am delighted that Michael is joining the board. His experience and ability will help drive Manchester United forward off the field," club chief David Gill said.

Sexist comments: Mike Newell, manager of English second division side Luton Town, has been fined £6,500 for comments he made about female assistant referee Amy Rayner. After a defeat to QPR in November, Newell said: "She should not be here. I know that sounds sexist but I am sexist. It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have but if you start bringing in women, you have a big problem."

In England: FA Cup fourth round replays - Norwich vs Blackpool 3-2 (aet); M'Boro vs Bristol C. 2-2 (aet; M'Boro win 5-4 on pens). The Championship - Colchester vs West Brom 1-2. League One - Leyton Orient vs Brighton 1-4.

Snooker: Welsh Open - (second round) Bond bt Lee 5-2; Maguire bt McManus 5-0; Doherty vs Swail 5-3; Selby bt Stevens 5-1; Cope bt Ding 5-1; Higginson bt Higgins 5-3; Carter bt Bingham 5-3.