Sporting briefs

McGREGOR: Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor is closing in on a move to Besiktas. McGregor has undergone medical tests in Istanbul. He is expected to sign a two-year contract. The 30-year-old has been looking for a new club after leaving Rangers.

EL SHAARAWY: Stephan El Shaarawy has signed a new five-year deal with Milan. The 19-year-old striker scored two goals in 22 appearances for the Rossoneri last season after signing from Genoa in June 2011.

FULHAM: Fulham midfielder Alex Kacaniklic has agreed a new two-year contract after impressing during a loan spell at Watford last season. The 20-year-old Swede was recalled before the loan deal expired and made his club debut in the 2-1 victory over Norwich in April.

BIN HAMMAM: Qatar’s Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned temporarily from football yesterday by FIFA’s ethics committee pending the outcome of a probe into Asian Football Confederation finances. The maximum three-month ban was made at the request of Ethics Committee chairman Michel Garcia.

CASTELLS: Spanish defender Marc Castells has signed a three-year contract with Asteras Tripolis following a free transfer from Valencia’s B team. No further financial details were revealed by the Greeks. Castells, 22, has been with the Valencia B team since 2008 and last season made 28 appearances.

MIKKELSEN: Greuther Fuerth, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, said yesterday they have signed Danish international striker Tobias Mikkelsen on a three-season deal plus a one-year further option. Mikkelsen, 25, was in the Danes’ Euro-2012 squad and arrives from Nordsjaelland.

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will face FC Gomel in the Europa League third qualifying round after the Belarusian side completed a 2-1 aggregate victory over FK Renova of Macedonia. Gomel lost yesterday’s second qualifying round second leg 1-0 at home to Renova following a 56th-minute goal from Ersen Asani but their 2-0 lead from the first leg ultimately proved enough to send them through to a clash with five-time European champions Liverpool.

DEFOE: Jermain Defoe has been given leave to return home from Tottenham’s tour of the United States following the death of his cousin. Hannah Defoe died while on holiday in St Lucia, it was revealed on the club’s website.

Ame Cup Results

Birkirkara 3
Joselito 19, 90; Pereira 61
Qormi2
Bello Osagie 12; Chetcuti 31

Rabat Ajax 0
Sliema Wanderers 4
Ghaouti 10, 50, 69, Gatt Baldacchino 73