Sporting briefs
Stoichkov: Police in Chicago have placed former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov under investigation for allegedly assaulting a journalist. Trud daily said a Chicago police officer confirmed they had received a complaint from Svetlozar...
Stoichkov: Police in Chicago have placed former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov under investigation for allegedly assaulting a journalist. Trud daily said a Chicago police officer confirmed they had received a complaint from Svetlozar Momchilov who was quoted as saying he was punched by Stoichkov after asking him for an interview.
Velev: Lokomotiv Plovdiv have fired coach Emil Velev and appointed former player Georgi Ivanov until the end of the season, the Bulgarian club said. The dismissal of Velev, 49, follows a disappointing start to the season for the 2004 Bulgarian champions, who have won only one of their eight league matches so far.
Jones: USA midfielder Jermaine Jones has said he plans to finish his career at Champions League side Schalke with his contract set to expire in 2014. Jones, 30, joined Schalke in 2007 from Eintracht Frankfurt and had a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last year. “I have already told Horst Heldt (Schalke’s manager), that I can imagine playing for Schalke for another four years,” Jones said.
Girard: Montpellier coach Rene Girard has been handed a European touchline ban and a €5,000 fine after being found guilty of improper conduct by UEFA. Girard has been suspended for two matches, although the ban for the second match is suspended for three years. The 58-year-old was charged by UEFA after a heated exchange with Schalke coach Huub Stevens during their 2-2 Champions League draw on October 3.
Keita: Mali captain Seydou Keita is one of three players forced to withdraw from the squad for their Africa Cup qualifier in Botswana this weekend due to injury. Keita left Barcelona for Dalian in the Chinese Super League earlier this year.
Abidal: Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is in fitness training in a mountain camp and practising football for the first time since his April liver transplant. Abidal, who underwent the operation on April 10, is reportedly aiming to rejoin the team in December. “I have been thinking about kicking the ball again for a long time. Today is the first day. I am tired but happy,” the 33-year-old told Barca TV.