Former Real Madrid team-mates Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo will captain teams against each other on Monday in an exhibition match aimed at mobilising the public in the fight against poverty.

Zidane, the former France captain who was born in a Marseille district and retired after France's defeat by Italy in last year's World Cup final, and Brazil striker Ronaldo, who now plays for Milan, will lead their selections in the fourth "Match against Poverty", organisers said.

Zidane and Ronaldo are both goodwill ambassadors for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which organises the event at Marseille's Velodrome Stadium. Each have invited a number of players for the match, entitled Ronaldo and Friends versus Zidane and Friends.

Among Zidane's guests are compatriot William Gallas and Robert Pires while Ronaldo's team includes fellow Brazilians Rivaldo and Robinho.

Fans warned over celery-throwing

Chelsea warned their fans yesterday against throwing celery during matches, saying it was a criminal offence and that anyone caught lobbing the popular salad vegetable could be banned.

The unlikely warning follows referee reports which mention celery-throwing at two recent Chelsea matches and which are being investigated by the Football Association.

The FA's investigation could result in sanctions being taken against the club, who said "the throwing of anything at a football match, including celery, is a criminal offence for which you can be arrested and end up with a criminal record."

Sevilla goalie Palop copies team-mates

Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop said he was just copying what he saw his team-mates do in training when he scored a last-gasp goal that kept the holders in the UEFA Cup and force extra-time. Sevilla went on to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 to go through 5-4 on aggregate.

"I decided to go up and have a go," the 33-year-old keeper was quoted as saying in the Spanish media yesterday. "Each defender had someone to mark and I was left a little bit on my own. I just copied the sort of movements I see my team-mates do in training."

Lampard, Terry urged to stay put

Jose Mourinho said yesterday he wanted John Terry and Frank Lampard to stay with him at Chelsea until his contract ran out in 2010, despite frenzied speculation that all three might leave the English champions at the end of the season.

"I would love to see them stay at the club and, especially if I stay here till 2010, I would love them to be with me," he said.

"They belong to Chelsea. They belong to Chelsea history, so when people have such strong links and feelings together there is no reason for a change," he said.

Rush starts for Euro 2008 tickets

Organisers of the 2008 European championship have reported a huge demand for tickets, with initial applications far outstripping the number of seats available.

About a third of the 1,050,000 tickets are up for grabs via the official website (www.euro2008.com), but tournament officials said yesterday they had already received around 2.5 million applications.

Most of the tickets will be distributed using a lottery system once the window for applications closes on March 31.

A further 38 per cent of tickets will be available to competing countries via their associations following the end of the qualifying competition.

Van der Sar a concern for Dutch

Edwin van der Sar's calf injury was Marco van Basten's biggest concern yesterday when he announced the Dutch squad for Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Romania and Slovenia.

The coach included his captain but added that the Manchester United goalkeeper was to undergo a scan later yesterday. Van Basten told reporters: "We will decide on Monday if he will join the group for the match against Romania, otherwise he will stay in England to recover."

Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is also injured and will be replaced by AZ Alkmaar's Danny Koevermans, who makes the squad for the first time.

The Netherlands top Group G with 10 points after four matches, two more than Bulgaria and three above Romania, who have a game in hand.

Recoba hints at Inter exit

Inter striker Alvaro Recoba has confirmed that he intends to seek pastures new after the end of this season.

Recoba, who joined Inter in 1997, has only appeared eight times so far this season and is keen to have more playing opportunities elsewhere despite his status as a Massimo Moratti favourite.

"Yes, I believe this will be my last campaign with Inter," the Uruguayan international told Sky Italia yesterday.

"I am not happy about it, but I am not 50 yet and my career has not come to an end already."

Recoba yesterday earned his first Uruguay call-up for 16 months after being included in the squad for this month's friendly in South Korea.

Juve in pole position for Almiron

Juventus are leading the chase for the signature of Sergio Almiron, Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi has revealed.

Almiron, who has established himself as a key player for Empoli in the last two seasons, is attracting interest from several major clubs, but Corsi insisted that the Bianconeri are in pole position.

"So far, Juventus are the only club who have officially expressed an interest in the player," Corsi was quoted as saying.

Fiorentina, Milan and Inter are also on Almiron's trail with the Serie A leaders widely regarded as the player's favourite destination.

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