Football news

Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia have officially named Dimitar Penev as their fourth coach of the season.

The 64-year-old, who led Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup, returned to CSKA earlier this month under the designation "supervisor" but the club confirmed he was the new head coach after their 1-0 win over Litex Lovech on Wednesday.

"Yes, I'm the new head coach from now on," Penev said. "I'll remain in the post until the end of the season."

CSKA are third in the standings with 51 points from 26 matches.

Zamora deserves chance - Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy has tipped in-form Fulham striker Bobby Zamora to gatecrash England's World Cup squad.

Zamora's burly physique would make him an unfashionable choice for some but Van Nistelrooy believes the Fulham striker deserves a chance.

"I think Capello doesn't look at fashionable things - he just looks at the effectiveness more than anything else," said the Dutchman.

"He's definitely a candidate now. He's very important for the team. He (Zamora) has proven himself on a European level, which is also very important for him.

"Getting through against these teams and scoring goals in these games, it makes him more attractive for Capello."

Held over alleged driving test scam

Wigan Athletic player Charles N'Zogbia has been arrested over suspicion that he had arranged for someone else to take part of his driving test for him.

N'Zogbia, who scored a last-minute winner for his side in their 3-2 victory over Arsenal on Sunday, was held by officers on Wednesday at a test centre in Greater Manchester.

Newspapers said staff from the centre had become suspicious about a man who turned up to take the theory part of the driving test some weeks ago.

They reported that the 23-year-old N'Zogbia was arrested as he was about to get into a car with an examiner for the practical test.

N'Zogbia has been released on police bail until June 3.

Forty injured in Sarajevo clashes

Around 40 people, among them 17 police officers, were injured when fans clashed with police after a 1-1 draw between Sarajevo and Siroki Brijeg late on Wednesday.

Sarajevo supporters had hoped for a victory in memory of a fan killed in violence that marred the last match with Siroki Brijeg in October.

"You betrayed us," supporters shouted at players and club management after the game ended. The players managed to escape safely from the stadium. Fans then clashed with security and police who tried to stop them from damaging the stadium.

Adebayor urged to behave at Emirates

Manchester City captain Kolo Toure has urged Emmanuel Adebayor to "show more intelligence" when the pair return to Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.

Adebayor ran the length of the field to celebrate in front of the Gunners fans after scoring against his former club at Eastlands last September. The 26-year-old was warned by the FA as to his future conduct and was also handed a three-match ban for stamping on Robin van Persie's face.

"I've told him he must be calm and not do anything (provocative)," Toure said.

"Ade is a professional player and must just focus on the game and give everything to help the team win."

Pompey's European hopes dashed

Portsmouth's hopes of competing in next season's Europa League after reaching the FA Cup final were dashed yesterday when they were ruled out because they had not applied in time.

The FA and Premier League said in a joint statement that they had told the club's administrators they would "not consider any late application for granting of a UEFA Club Licence for the 2010-11 season."

Despite being £119 million in debt and in administration, Portsmouth would have qualified for the Europa League by reaching the Cup final against Chelsea, who are sure to be in the Champions League.

However, the south coast club cannot take up the place without a UEFA licence and the FA had set a March 1 deadline for clubs to apply for one.

Maldini investigated over corruption

Milan legend Paolo Maldini and his wife are being investigated over corruption and the illegal access to tax records, Ansa reported yesterday.

The former international defender is accused of bribing an incomes official to avoid tax controls but his lawyer, Danilo Buongiorno, insisted that his client's role in the investigation was merely minor.

"He's calm and serene. In contesting the accusations, which are without a doubt baseless, he's certain that he will be able to demonstrate that he and his wife had absolutely nothing to do with this and that they must be injured parties and certainly not those being investigated," he said.

The former Milan defender is being investigated following a separate probe into an incomes official who has since been imprisoned.