Kahn banned: Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn is set to miss the first leg of Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final against Milan after picking up a one match ban from UEFA. European soccer's governing body handed down the punishment following an outburst by the German during a post-match doping control. He sent a written apology to UEFA prior to yesterday's hearing. His Brazilian team mate Lucio , who was present at the doping test, was also fined.

Emerson: Real Madrid midfielder Emerson has said he is determined to overcome the loss of form that has made it impossible for him to settle at the club since his close season move from Juventus. "I've never gone through anything like this before," the Brazil international said. "One day I feel OK and the next day I feel bad. But I have to get over it and get back to being the player I was when I was at Juventus and when I play for Brazil. I have to improve at Real Madrid." The midfielder refuted claims that he was planning to leave the club at the end of the season.

Journalist assault: Deportivo La Coruna's Uruguayan striker Sebastian Taborda has denied assaulting a journalist who criticised him in a local paper but has apologised for his aggressive behaviour. "It was simply an exchange of words, I grabbed him by the coat and pushed him but nothing more," Taborda told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. "I didn't punch him or anything like that, but that doesn't justify what happened and I would like to apologise."

Faroe Islands: Ukraine's Euro 2008 qualifier in the Faroe Islands tomorrow will go ahead as scheduled. "Representatives of UEFA have decided the match between the Faroe Islands and Ukraine will take place on March 24 as planned," the Ukrainian Football Federation said in a statement. Ukraine's squad will leave for the islands today. Visiting coach Oleg Blokhin had wanted the Group B game in Toftir postponed until August after officials in the Faroes said the pitch was in a poor state due to snow.

Switzerland captain: Switzerland striker Alex Frei has been named as the national team's captain following the surprise axing earlier this month of Johann Vogel. Frei's appointment was confirmed by Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn yesterday shortly before the side's friendly match against Jamaica in Florida. The Borussia Dortmund striker is a controversial choice as captain, having frequently been portrayed in the Swiss media as Vogel's main adversary during recent in-fighting among the squad.

Fred suspended: UEFA have handed a three-match ban to Olympique Lyon striker Fred for an elbowing incident during his side's Champions League exit to Roma. Television pictures showed the Brazilian elbowing Roma defender Cristian Chivu during the March 6 encounter, although the foul was missed by the referee. Because Lyon are now out of the competition, UEFA said the three-match ban would apply to the next three European club competition games that Fred is eligible to play.

In Gozo: Division One - Nadur Youngsters vs Qala St Joseph 0-0. Division Two - SK Victoria Wanderers vs Zebbug Rovers 3-1.

UEFA turns down request: UEFA have turned down a request from Spanish club Sevilla to have their UEFA Cup quarter-final, first leg tie against Tottenham Hotspur moved to another date. The club had wanted a new date because April 5, when the match is to be played, is a religious festival in the Spanish city with more than one million people expected to attend.

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