Sporting briefs

Simplicio: Brazilian attacking midfielder Simplicio has joined Roma on a three-year contract worth 1.1 million euros a year. Simplicio, who has previously played for Parma, was out of contract with Palermo at the end of last season following four successful years with the Sicilians.

Broadfoot: Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot, 25, has been arrested in connection with an alleged assault during a post-season break in Scotland. Broadfoot was on holiday with friends in Ayr when he was stopped by police following an incident outside a block of flats.

Crystal Palace: Cash-strapped Crystal Palace look set to avoid extinction after a consortium attempting to buy the Championship club agreed a deal to secure the team's Selhurst Park stadium moments before the deadline that would have forced them out of business. Palace are in administration with debts of around €30 million.

Bellamy: Craig Bellamy has indicated he would consider leaving Manchester City for a shock move to Cardiff in the Championship. Bellamy, born in the Welsh capital, is wanted by a host of clubs after speculation circulated he was keen on a move away from Eastlands. "Playing anywhere else in Europe would be too much of a strain on my family because they live in Cardiff," Bellamy said. "So it really limits me to maybe one place."

Ramsey: Young midfielder Aaron Ramsey has signed a new contract with Arsenal. The 19-year-old joined the Gunners from Cardiff in 2008 and played 29 times last season before having his campaign cut short by an horrendous leg break suffered against Stoke in February.

Terry: Chelsea captain John Terry's father was given a suspended prison sentence for supplying cocaine to a newspaper reporter, as his judge said he was the victim of "entrapment". Edward Terry, 56, admitted supplying the drug to an undercover journalist from the News of the World in a wine bar in east of London, in November.

Friendlies: Australia vs Denmark 1-0; Switzerland vs Costa Rica 0-1; Holland vs Ghana 4-1; Portugal vs Cameroon 3-1.

Viva World Cup: Padania vs Occitania 1-0; Regno delle due Sicilie vs Provence 1-0.

Horse racing: St Nicholas Abbey, long time favourite for Saturday's Derby, was ruled out of the Epsom classic yesterday after suffering a setback in training. Trainer Aidan O'Brien's charge shot to the top of the Derby betting after putting up a brilliant performance to win one of last season's Epsom trials, the Racing Post Trophy.

Superbike: Italian Max Biaggi made the most of Superbike World Championship title rival Leon Haslam crashing out of the second race to reclaim the points lead with a double win in Utah. Biaggi claimed two race wins on the Alitalia Aprilia to take over as championship leader from Haslam.

Basket, NBA: LA Lakers centre Andrew Bynum had fluid drained from his right knee on Monday, days before the start of the NBA finals. "It was getting worse," said Bynum, who hopes the procedure will allow him to play effectively in the finals against the Boston Celtics as the Lakers seek a second straight NBA crown. Bynum was diagnosed with a meniscus tear during the Lakers' first-round playoff series against Oklahoma City.

Rugby League: Israel Folau, one of Australian Rugby League's hottest properties, said he will switch codes to play Australian Rules. The Tongan-born 21-year-old said he would leave National Rugby League club Brisbane Broncos at the end of this season after signing a four-year contract with Australian Football League expansion club Greater Western Sydney (GWS).

Cricket: Sri Lanka plans to hire a cruise liner to accommodate World Cup fans and spectators at the newly-built stadium in the island's south. The six-million dollar stadium in Hambantota, lacks hotels to accommodate thousands of fans expected to watch the games in February-April next year. ICC rules require each venue to have five-star facilities to house between 500 and 1,000 players, officials, media and fans.