Sporting briefs

Rehhagel: Otto Rehhagel is set to return to the Bundesliga after a 12-year hiatus to take charge of relegation-threatened Hertha Berlin. The 73-year-old, who led Greece to the Euro 2004 title, is expected to arrive in the German capital today to take charge of Hertha, who last week sacked Michael Skibbe as coach after five defeats.

Catania: Serie A club Catania have plans in motion for the building of a new all-covered stadium that would host 35,000 fans and cost €100 million. Antonio Pulvirenti, the Catania owner, said designs have already been drawn up and the first planning stage has already been completed. “ Our idea is to build the new facility in Librino through a project-financing scheme with the involvement of the public.”

Rijeka: An Italian businessman has signed an agreement to buy a majority stake in Croatian club Rijeka. Gabriele Volpi will own 70 per cent of the club once he pays 5.4 million euros in three annual installments. Rijeka are seventh in the league which has been dominated by Dinamo Zagreb since 2006. Volpi already owns Italian waterpolo club Pro Recco.

Brighton: Championship club Brighton have snapped up Manchester City’s midfield duo Abdul Razak and Gai Assulin on loan. Razak, 19, will remain at the Amex Stadium for the rest of the season while Assulin, 20, is on loan until March 19.

Morrison: West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has admitted a FA charge of “using abusive words” after a homophobic remark on Twitter. The 19-year-old, who moved to Upton Park from Manchester United at the end of January, is reported to have made the comment in response to another Twitter user.

Duarte: Burkina Faso’s Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte was sacked yesterday because of the team’s poor performance at the recent African Cup. The African nation finished last in Pool B of the biennial continental tournament after losing all of their first round three matches. Duarte’s contract had been due to expire on March 31.

Primera Liga: Getafe vs Es-panyol 1-1; Real Madrid vs Rac. Santander 4-0.

Ligue 1: Ajaccio vs Brest 0-0; Caen vs Evian 2-2; Dijon vs Nice 3-0; Lorient vs Lille 0-1; Nancy vs Tou-louse 0-3; Sochaux vs Auxerre 0-0; Marseille vs Valenciennes 1-1.