Football news

Portsmouth face almost certain relegation from the Premier League after being docked nine points yesterday for going into administration last month. The debt-laden south-coast club are the first Premier League team to suffer a points penalty for entering administration.

They now have just 10 points and are 17 points adrift of the safety zone with just nine games remaining.

The nine-point deduction had been delayed while Portsmouth's move into voluntary administration was formally validated - a situation resolved in the High Court on Tuesday when a winding up order against the club was suspended.

Stoichkov leaves Sundowns post

Former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov has resigned as coach of South African club Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 44-year-old Bulgarian joined the side in July and led them to second place in the league which ended earlier this month, but after hinting several times at his desire for a new contract, he finally announced his decision to resign.

"I won't be coaching this team next season because I have not been given a contract. I had a meeting with the president and I have reached a conclusion," he said.

Sundowns finished a point behind SuperSport United in the league but are still involved in two cup tournaments, although it remains unclear whether Stoichkov will stay on until his one-year deal ends in June.

CSKA hero Honda eyes loftier goals

CSKA Moscow match-winner Keisuke Honda has brushed off the milestone of becoming the first Japanese player to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, instead choosing to set much loftier goals.

The Japan midfielder's long-range free-kick deceived Sevilla goalkeeper Adres Palop to secure Moscow's 2-1 victory in Spain on Tuesday, earning the Russian side a 3-2 aggregate win and a passage into the last eight.

"I'm not interested in being Japan's first anything or whatever," Honda said after being informed of the milestone.

"I've set my goals much higher than that."

Serbia's Jankovic to miss World Cup

Serbia midfielder Bosko Jankovic will miss the World Cup finals after injuring his left knee in an Italian league match last week, according to a media report.

Belgrade's b92 website reported that Jankovic, who returned to the international fold in a 3-0 friendly win over Algeria two weeks ago, faced arthroscopic surgery of his meniscus and up to six months on the sidelines.

The attacking midfielder, who was out for six months after tearing ligaments in the same knee last September, sustained the injury while playing for Genoa against Inter.

Serbia are in Group D with Germany, Ghana and Australia.

Van Bommel extends Bayern contract

Bayern Munich captain Mark van Bommel has extended his contract with the Bundesliga side for another year until 2011, the club said yesterday.

Dutchman van Bommel, who joined Bayern in 2006 from Barcelona, has been instrumental in his team's run to the Champions League quarter-finals and their return to the top of the Bundesliga table this season.

"It was my wish to extend it by a year," the 32-year-old midfielder said in a statement.

"I want to be successful with the team and win titles. This is our goal for this year and the next."

Traore dreaming of PSG move

Arsenal youngster Armand Traore believes he will eventually play for Paris SG, the "club of his dreams", although he admits a move this summer would be too early.

Traore moved to Arsenal from Monaco in 2006 and, having spent last year on loan at Portsmouth, is now beginning to prove himself at the Emirates.

"PSG will always be PSG," he said.

"They are a great club which made a whole generation of people dream during the years 1990-2000. And the Parc des Princes is a mythical stadium.

"Still today when I talk to other players, prestigious or not and of all nationalities, they talk to me about PSG, telling me that they dream about playing there one day."

Ze Roberto rules out switch to US

Hamburg's veteran midfielder Ze Roberto has ruled out a summer move to the New York Red Bulls.

Speculation in Germany has suggested the Major League Soccer side were interested in the 35-year-old Brazilian and were set to offer him a lucrative three-year contract.

However, the former Bayern Munich man, whose deal with Hamburg expires at the end of next season, said yesterday: "A transfer is not an issue."

Ze Roberto was in blistering form before picking up an ankle injury late last year.

That ruled him out for three months, but he made a goalscoring return to the starting XI against Bayer Leverkusen last Sunday and is still regarded as one of Hamburg's most influential players.