Kolarov: Police announced yesterday that they are investigating claims of racist abuse after Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov became involved in a row with a supporter at St James’ Park. Northumbria Police said they had received a complaint after City’s 3-1 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Martinez: Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez was yesterday given the all clear after temporarily losing sight in his left eye in the 1-1 draw with B. Moenchengladbach in the Bun-desliga. The 24-year-old suffered bruising to his left eyeball and injury to his cornea after clashing with Gladbach defender Martin Stranzl in mid-air from a corner during the match at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Friday.
Le Graet: Noel Le Graet, 70, has been re-elected as president of the French Football Federation for another four years which will take him through to the Euro 2016 championships organised by France. The former president of Guingamp was first appointed in June, 2011 and despite the fiasco that marked France’s 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa, Le Graet has remained popular.
Van Wolfswinkel: Fiorentina are ready to pay €10m for Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky Van Wolfs-winkel, according to reports in Portugal. It is believed that Fiorentina have been tracking the Dutch forward and could make a move for the 23-year-old over the winter break. Since his arrival in 2011, Van Wolfswinkel scored 34 goals in 66 matches for Sporting Lisbon.
Diouf: El-Hadji Diouf has signed a new 18-month contract with Leeds United. The Sene-galese striker’s current deal was set to run out in January but Diouf has agreed terms on an extension that will see him remain at Elland Road until the end of the 2013/14 season.
Bianchi: Former coach Carlos Bianchi is set to come out of retirement for another spell in charge of Boca Juniors, club chairman Daniel Angelici said. The 63-year-old, the only coach to win four Copa Libertadores, came back as general manager four years ago and now will take the reins again as the club try to improve on sixth place after the initial league tournament of the season or Torneo Inicial, well adrift of table-toppers Velez Sarsfield.