In brief

Martins: Portuguese coach Luiz Felipe Scolari included midfielder Carlos Martins yesterday for next week's friendly international against Greece in Duesseldorf. Martins, who has been in impressive form for Huelva in the Spanish Liga, returns after more...

Martins: Portuguese coach Luiz Felipe Scolari included midfielder Carlos Martins yesterday for next week's friendly international against Greece in Duesseldorf. Martins, who has been in impressive form for Huelva in the Spanish Liga, returns after more than a year away from the international scene.

Altitude ban: The Andean community joined the fight to reverse FIFA's ban on playing international matches at high altitude. FIFA said last week that internationals can only be played above 2,750m if visiting teams are given one week to acclimatise and two weeks for matches above 3,000m, effectively ruling out games at these heights. The Andean Community is a trade bloc that counts Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia as members.

FIFA ban: FIFA has announced the suspension of Madagascar's FA in the latest row over alleged political interference in the running of the sport. FIFA had given the Malagasy government three days to revoke a sports ministry decree aimed at dissolving the Malagasy FA (FMF) but yesterday FIFA said its demands had not been met.

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