Sporting briefs

Gerets: Belgian Eric Gerets has agreed a deal to take over as coach of Qatari champions Lekhwiya in place of Algerian Djamel Belmadi. Media reports suggested that 58-year-old Gerets had agreed a three-year deal, as the Qatari champions bid to win the Asian Cup next year.

Ronaldo: Cristiano Ronaldo will join up with the Portugal World Cup squad despite suffering a suspected sprained left shoulder during Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona at the weekend. “Cristiano will join the Portuguese squad today (Monday),” Real Madrid said. Ronaldo “will remain under observation” at their base in Obidos but is expected to play the two qualifiers against Russia on Friday and against N. Ireland four days later.

Alves: Barcelona right-back Dani Alves suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Real Madrid and will be out of action for three weeks. Alves picked up the injury in the 27th minute at Camp Nou and was replaced by Martin Montoya.

Stojkovic: Partizan Belgrade goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic will miss Serbia’s World Cup qualifiers this month after breaking a collarbone in a league match on Sunday. Stojkovic was taken off on a stretcher in the first half of Partizan’s 2-1 home win over Javor Ivanjica and rushed to hospital.

Minev: Bulgaria defender Veselin Minev has been banned for two matches by FIFA for his role in a fracas during his team’s 1-0 win over Armenia in a World Cup qualifier on Sept. 11. Left back Minev, who escaped unpunished in a tense game featuring three red cards, was also fined $6,500 by FIFA. The suspension means that Minev will miss Bulgaria’s qualifiers against Denmark and the Czech Republic.

Suspended: Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini and Inter defender Yuto Nagatomo were among six players handed one-game bans by Serie A league yesterday. Ambrosini played no part in the Milan derby, won 1-0 by Inter on Sunday, but was sanctioned for jumping off the subs’ bench and on to the technical area to express his anger at a refereeing decision in the 47th minute. Nagatomo picked up a one-game ban for his expulsion.

In Italy: Serie B – Livorno vs Spezia 1-5. Prima Divisione B – Gubbio vs Benevento 1-0.