Sporting briefs

Leao: Former Brazil captain Emerson Leao has taken over as coach of 11-times Qatari champions Al Sadd. Leao, who coached Brazil between 2000 and 2001 and was capped 106 times as a player, said: "It is a big challenge for myself and I know quite well Al-Sadd is a club of trophies."

Matuzalem: Real Zaragoza's Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem is close to completing a loan move to Lazio, the Spanish second division club said. Zaragoza, who were relegated from the Primera Liga in May, signed Matuzalem from Shakhtar Donetsk last year.

Le Roy: Frenchman Claude Le Roy has agreed to take over as coach of Oman's national team. Le Roy, who led Ghana to the semi-finals of this year's African Cup of Nations, has signed a one-year contract to become Oman's fifth coach in just over two years. The former Cameroon, Senegal, Congo and Malaysia coach steered Ghana to 14th in the FIFA world rankings but rejected a new contract, saying he had reached "the end of that chapter".

Bologna: Promoted Bologna will go into the new Serie A season without fresh investment after a deal to be bought by an American firm fell through. The seven-times Italian champions said that the deal would not go ahead after TAG Partners LLC asked for another delay in the transaction.

Reyna: Former United States captain Claudio Reyna is to announce his retirement after struggling with injuries in Major League Soccer this season. The 34-year-old Reyna, who played in England and Germany, has started just six of the New York Red Bulls's games this season. Reyna made 112 appearances for the US.

Numancia: Second division champions Numancia host Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in the opening round of matches of the 2008/09 Primera Liga season, the Spanish Football Federation said yesterday. Champions Real Madrid begin their title defence away to Deportivo and last season's runners-up Villarreal travel to face Osasuna in the matches on the weekend of Aug. 30 and 31.

Boxing: Three Romanian boxers banned for life for shoplifting have had their suspensions reduced to a year. The Amateur International Boxing Association has softened its stance since sending the trio home from last year's amateur world championships in Chicago.

Russian bonanza: The Russian Olympic Committee has more than trebled bonuses for athletes who win medals at next month's Beijing Games. Since the 1996 Games in Atlanta, the ROC has awarded $50,000 for every gold medal won by a Russian but will splash out 100,000 euros ($159,500) to Beijing's Olympic champions.