Sporting briefs

Barton: Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has been banned for 12 games, six of them suspended, for attacking a team-mate while at former club Manchester City. Barton received his punishment, which takes immediate effect, at a Football Association disciplinary hearing yesterday after admitting a charge of violent conduct against Ousmane Dabo. He was also fined £25,000. The 26-year-old has already received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for the attack.

Borgonovo: Milan and Fiorentina will figure in a testimonial match for Stefano Borgonovo on October 8 in Florence. Borgonovo is suffering from motor neurone disease - the same illness that killed former Genoa captain Gianluca Signorini in 2002. The 44-year-old enjoyed the most successful season on his career on loan from Milan to Fiorentina in 1988-89 when as a striker he scored 14 goals playing alongside Roberto Baggio.

Ferdinand: Rio Ferdinand will miss England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra today because of a neck injury. England manager Fabio Capello confirmed the defender was unavailable for the game but will be fit for Wednesday's trip to Croatia.

One-year ban: Serbia and Chelsea defender Slobodan Rajkovic has been given a one-year ban from all competitions after spitting at a referee during last month's Olympic Games. Rajkovic, 19, was signed by Chelsea from OFK Belgrade in 2005 at the age of 16 but remained on loan to the Serbian club until the end of the 2006-07 season. He was then loaned out to PSV Eindhoven and is currently at Twente Enschede on another loan deal.

Mutu: Romania striker Adrian Mutu has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against FIFA's decision to order him to pay record damages to Chelsea after taking cocaine while at the Premier League club in 2004. FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled in May that Mutu was in breach of contract and said he had to pay 17.17 million euros ($24.56 million) in compensation to his former club.

Uefa U-21 results: Italy vs Greece 1-1; England vs Portugal 2-0; Croatia vs Albania 4-0; Germany vs N. Ireland 3-0.

Division II/III KO: Xghajra vs Marsa 0-1; Gozo FC vs Gharghur 1-3.