Briefs

Balotelli: Inter striker Mario Balotelli was racially abused by a group of Roma fans who threw bananas at him in a bar. The 18-year-old, who was in Rome ahead of joining the Italy under-21 squad, was praised for his calmness by coach Pierluigi Casiraghi. "The boy has behaved well both with the team and in the specific incident yesterday when he didn't respond to verbal provocation," Casiraghi said.

Hull: Hull City are close to signing striker Fraizer Campbell from Man. United after having an offer accepted by the Premier League champions. "The club can confirm that it has had an offer accepted by Man. United for Fraizer Campbell," a statement said on Hull's website.

Hreidarsson: Hermann Hreidarsson is interested in joining Scottish champions Rangers if he leaves Portsmouth this summer. The veteran Iceland defender, 34, is out of contract at Fratton Park but is waiting for Pompey to appoint a new manager before making a decision on his future.

Larsson: Striker Henrik Larsson has pulled out of Sweden's World Cup qualifying tie against Malta for family reasons and been replaced by Tobias Hysen, the Swedish FA said yesterday. The former Barcelona and Manchester United forward played in Sweden's 1-0 home loss to Denmark in Stockholm on Saturday but has opted out of Wednesday's match in Gothenburg.

Horse racing: Former Japan Derby winner Vodka became the first filly to win $10 million in prize money after storming to victory in the Yasuda Memorial yesterday. Race favourite Vodka became the country's most successful filly after pipping 2008 Derby winner Deep Sky to win her sixth grade one race, also a record for a Japanese filly. Vodka won $1 million after coming from behind to beat Deep Sky with Faridat finishing third in the one mile race in Tokyo.

Golf: Denmark's Jeppe Huldahl, ranked 377th in the world, completed a surprise win in the Wales Open yesterday. A faultless closing four-under-par 67 for a nine-under 275 four-round total by the player lying 188th on the European rankings coming into the event, left Huldahl one stroke better than six-times tour winner Niclas Fasth of Sweden (66).

Rugby Union: Utility back Luke McAlister was added to the New Zealand squad yesterday as a replacement for the injured Richard Kahui. McAlister, 25, left his homeland after the 2007 World Cup to join English club Sale on a lucrative two-year deal but returned to New Zealand last month. New Zealand open their international season against France in Dunedin on Saturday.