Kadlec: Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec will undergo a surgery on his broken nose today, an injury he suffered late Saturday when he was allegedly attacked by Cologne fans, his agent said. Kadlec was attacked after a late dinner with fellow players as his team had returned home following a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Schalke: Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones and striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are the latest German league stars to come to blows after pictures emerged yesterday of them fighting in training. After Bayern Munich were reported to have fined Franck Ribery €50,000 for an alleged dressing room bust-up with team-mate Arjen Robben, the Schalke duo had to be separated during training on Saturday.
Swindon: Swindon Town were promoted to League One despite going down 3-1 at Gillingham on Saturday. Paolo Di Canio’s side will have been disappointed not to have secured their own promotion – which was confirmed courtesy of Torquay’s defeat – but they remain four points clear in the title race with two to play.
Van Persie: Arsenal striker Robin van Persie was named the Player of the Year by England’s Professional Footballers’ Association yesterday. The 28-year-old has scored 27 league goals so far this season and was proud to be honoured by a poll of top-flight players. “If other people are saying it, it is special, but it is even more special if your opponents are saying it,” he said.
A-League: A controversial penalty gave Brisbane Roar a 2-1 win over Perth Glory yesterday and ensured they became the first club to win back-to-back A-League titles. With the scores locked at 1-1 and the game headed to extra time, referee Jarred Gillett ruled Besart Berisha had been brought down in the box. The Albanian stepped up to convert the penalty and send the 50,000 fans into raptures.
Drogba: Roberto Di Matteo is confident Didier Drogba will win his fitness battle and face Barcelona tomorrow. The Chelsea striker has a knee problem but Di Matteo is anxious to have him back in his side for the Camp Nou return. “He has an injury on his knee, so it’s whether the progression on this injury will be quick enough,” the interim Chelsea first-team coach said.