Sporting briefs

Martinez: Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has been fined £10,000 after admitting a charge of misconduct in relation to com-ments made after his side’s game against Manchester United last month. The Spaniard was frustrated after his side’s 4-0 defeat during which Danny Welbeck was awarded a controversial penalty following what seemed to be minimal contact from Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi.

Campagnaro: Argentine defender Hugo Campagnaro is close to extending his contract at Napoli, his agent said yesterday. Campagnaro, who joined Napoli from Sampdoria in 2009, has less than a year left on his current deal. “We have been in discussions with Napoli for some time,” Alejandro Mazzoni said. “I can say that, in the space of a couple of weeks, we are aiming to put pen to paper in order to make things official.”

Simpson: Full-back Danny Simpson returns to the Newcastle squad for tonight’s Europa League clash with Bordeaux. The former Manchester United defender has been out since damaging a hamstring in the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Aston Villa on September 2, but his return to fitness could hardly have been better-timed with manager Alan Pardew facing a defensive crisis.

Katsouranis: Greece inter-national midfielder Kostas Katsouranis has been let go by Panathinaikos, the Athens club’s new president, Giannis Alafouzos, announced yesterday. Kat-souranis, 33, had been under contract with Panathinaikos until the summer of 2013 and was one of the best-paid players in the squad.

Red Bulls: Jerome de Bontin, former president of AS Monaco, was named general manager of New York Red Bulls yesterday, replacing Erik Soler. De Bontin will oversee the club’s business operations while Frenchman Gerard Houllier, who was appointed the club’s global football director in July and who turned 65 last month, will oversee all sporting aspects for the team.

In England: Championship – M’boro vs Derby 2-2; N. Forest vs Blackburn 0-0. League Two – Bristol Rovers vs Cheltenham 0-1.

In Gozo: GFA Division Two – St Lawrence vs Oratory 2-4.