Sporting briefs

Barcelona: Barcelona youngster Isaac Cuenca has agreed a contract extension with the Catalan giants. Cuenca’s new deal, which will be signed next Tuesday, ties the highly-rated 20-year-old to the European champions until June 30, 2015. Cuenca made his senior debut for Barca in the Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen in October.

Africa Cup: Ghana defeated Mali 2-0 last night to leave Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations wide open after Guinea earlier hammered Botswana 6-1. The 2010 World Cup participants are now top of the group on six points from two matches, while Guinea and their opening-day conquerors Mali are on three points, with all three teams still in the reckoning to advance.

Racism: Merseyside Police are investigating an alleged racist gesture made by a Liverpool fan which was captured on TV footage during the FA Cup fourth round tie with Manchester United at Anfield. Following Liverpool’s 2-1 win it emerged that police were investigating the alleged racist gesture. The image was distributed on social networking websites and a number of complaints were made to police.

Amauri: Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi confirmed new Fiorentina signing Amauri will play in today’s Tuscan derby against Siena. “He is a very important player and I have to make the most of his motivation, even though he has not played for over six months,” said the coach in his press conference.