Briefs

Fukushima taunts: The Belgian top-flight encounter between Germinal Beerschot and Lierse on Friday was halted by the referee after Lierse goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was taunted with chants about the Fukushima disaster. Lierse had gone a goal up when Beerschot fans threw a projectile in the direction of Japanese international ‘keeper Kawashima before insulting him with chants of “Kawashima-Fukushima! Kawashima-Fukushima!”. Following protests by Kawashima, the referee decided to bring play to a halt for several minutes until order was restored.

Schalke: Schalke 04 are waiting on the fitness of central defenders captain Benedikt Hoewdes and Greek international Kyriakos Papadopoulos for today’s German league game at Mainz 05. The pair picked up injuries in Schalke’s 2-0 Europa League first-leg qualifier defeat at Finland champion’s HJK Helsinki yesterday. Hoewdes, who has won two caps for Germany, injured his back in Helsinki while Papadopoulos has a bruised thigh.

Mohamad: Cologne defender Youssef Mohamad has said he has signed a two-year contract with Dubai side Al-Ahli so he can be closer to his family. “I have signed, I wanted to be near my family,” the Lebanese international said.

Zairi: Moroccan international forward Jaouad Zairi has signed a one-year contract with Ioannina, the Greek Super League club said Friday. No financial details of the contract were revealed by the team. He has played 33 times for Morocco.