Controversial referee Hristo Ristoskov has been indefinitely banned from officiating matches after “committing many mistakes” during CSKA Sofia’s 2-1 Bulgarian Cup win at Ludogorets on Wednesday, a Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) official said.
“He’ll be suspended and you’ll not see him officiating a game for a long time. He committed many mistakes,” BFU refereeing commission chief Nikola Dzhuganski said.
CSKA said Hristoskov failed to award two penalties and committed a number of other errors during the Cup match in Razgrad.
CSKA appealed against “the extremely biased refereeing”.
Lambert to spend
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert admits he needs to increase the size of his squad and is planning to bring in new signings during the January transfer window.
Lambert brought in seven players during the summer but Villa are still stretched in certain departments after the departure of several experienced men.
They have four centre-backs on the injury list in Richard Dunne, Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker and Chris Herd.
When asked about his plans for January, Lambert said: “The squad needs to get bigger as well. That is important. That’s normal.
“Everyone has to have competition for places. That is vital.”
Police probe alleged gesture
Chelsea will give their full backing to police investigating an alleged racist gesture by a supporter towards a Manchester United player.
A picture published in the national press appeared to show the fan making a “monkey” action during the Blues’ League Cup fourth-round tie at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have also launched their own investigation into the matter in the hope of quickly identifying the person.
A statement read: “The club will be examining footage and asks anyone who can identify the individual to contact the club.
“We are committed to removing all forms of discrimination.”
Austerity time
AEK Athens are relinquishing a night’s stay in a hotel this weekend ahead of the derby with Panathinaikos to raise money for hard up team-mates.
AEK coach Ewald Lienen said: “I talked with the players about the issue in training.
“After the training session on Saturday (today) we will have lunch together and Sunday morning we will have breakfast as we do before each match at the hotel. The only difference is that on Saturday night we will not be staying at the hotel to save money.”
Financially-troubled AEK are in last place in the table with just five points after eight games.
Michu overlooks booking threat
Michael Laudrup will not be tempted to leave top scorer Michu (picture) out of his side against Chelsea, despite knowing a booking would see the Spaniard miss a clash with Southampton the Swansea boss believes is more important.
Michu has quickly become a cult hero among the Liberty Stadium faithful after scoring seven goals in just 11 appearances since arriving from Rayo Vallecano in summer.
Laudrup said: “He is a very important player, he is our top scorer, his movement is good and he is making assists. I have spoken to him about it and I said ‘I want you to play’.
“The fifth booking; when it comes it comes.”
Ferguson defends ref Clattenburg
Alex Ferguson said that it was “unthinkable” that referee Mark Clattenburg had racially abused a Chelsea player during Manchester United’s controversial victory last weekend.
United’s 3-2 Premier League win was overshadowed by allegations from the losers that Clattenburg, who sent off two Chelsea men, used “inappropriate language” against two of their players during the match.
“I don’t believe Mark Clattenburg would make any comments like that,” Ferguson said.
“I refuse to believe it. I think it’s unthinkable.
“In the modern climate, I just don’t believe it. Simple as that.
“There is no way a referee would stoop to that, I’m convinced about that.”
Man. City to run rule over Ishige
Manchester City are set to bring Japanese youngster Hideki Ishige to England to run the rule over the midfielder, his club Shimizu S-Pulse said.
However, contrary to Japanese reports, City have yet to make an offer to sign the Asian Youth Player of the year.
The teenager has shone in recent months and has been key to Shimizu’s march to the Nabisco Cup final last week, as well as their late surge in the league.
Ishige is set to spend time with Manchester City in January.