Football news

Serie A side Cagliari have been deducted three points after taking unauthorised legal action against a former player for alleged defamation.

The relegation-threatened club took action against defender Gianluca Grassadonia after he made a series of critical comments about Cagliari in a newspaper interview.

The Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) has punished the club for breaking its rules on taking disputes outside the realm of sporting justice without permission.

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino said he will appeal.

J-League pitch invasion

The traditional curtain-raiser to the Japanese season - the Super Cup - ended in scenes of chaos yesterday with angry fans storming the pitch after a controversial penalty shoot-out.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat J-League champions Kashima Antlers 4-3 on penalties after the referee had twice allowed them to retake missed spot-kicks.

Around 100 fans invaded the pitch at Tokyo's National Stadium to protest while Hiroshima's players celebrated a rare trophy for the second division side.

Beckham's Galaxy lose friendly

David Beckham scored from the penalty spot but his LA Galaxy side were beaten 2-1 in a shoot-out by FC Seoul in a friendly in Korea yesterday.

The former England captain had a hand in the Galaxy's 21st-minute opener, his long through ball pounced on by Alan Gordon, who turned to fire the visitors into the lead.

FC Seoul equalised 10 minutes later when Jung Jo-gook converted from the spot. Beckham made no mistake with his kick in the shoot-out but his team-mates were less reliable, allowing Lee Sang-hyup to win the game for the home side.

FIFA blocks player's move

Rangers have been denied the chance by FIFA to transfer Gabon striker Daniel Cousin to Fulham. FIFA turned down an appeal on the grounds that Cousin has already played for two clubs this season, Racing Lens, in France, and Rangers.

Cousin, who had been at Lens since 2004, appeared in two matches for the French club early in the French season before his move to Rangers in August.

Kaka... Rossonero all the way

Brazil playmaker Kaka, who has just extended his contract with Milan until 2013, wants to spend the rest of his career at the club.

"Last year the Milan Channel asked me if I wanted to stay for life and on that occasion I didn't have the confidence and drive (to commit myself) I have today," he said.

"Today I can say it. I want to stay Rossonero all of my career. I want to stay here for life."

Sao Paulo's Adriano in hot water

Brazilian striker Adriano was in more trouble on Friday when he arrived late for training with his club Sao Paulo, left early and threatened a cameraman.

The striker, who has joined the Brazilian champions on loan from Inter in a bid to resurrect his faltering career, could face a fine for his latest misdemeanour, the club said.

On Thursday, Adriano was also under the spotlight for wearing a T-shirt instead of the official club uniform as the team arrived at Sao Paulo airport following a flight from Colombia.

Players need protection - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on referees to give greater protection to players after the club's Croatian international striker Eduardo da Silva suffered a broken leg last weekend.

"If one team is making three times more foul tackles than the others then they need to be punished," Wenger said.

"I am not asking for special treatment. The referees have to find an answer. I don't want to go into what is right and wrong."

Court backs Spain over election

A Spanish court has rejected an appeal from the Spanish FA (RFEF) to delay this year's presidential election, leaving the country on a collision course with FIFA and facing a possible ban from Euro 2008.

The court said that public interest required the RFEF to meet a government demand that all sporting federations not involved in the Olympics hold elections before the Beijing Games begin in August.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter warned Spain they would be barred from international competitions if the government pressured the RFEF into an early election.