Everton have suspended a youth-team coach and a female goalkeeper as they and Merseyside Police investigate an allegation of assault at a club Christmas party.

Academy coach Mick O’Brien, a former player with Torquay, is alleged to have struck Everton Ladies’ second-choice goalkeeper Danielle Hill outside the Blue Bar in the city’s Albert Dock last Sunday.

However, there are conflicting reports over who threw the first punch and both have been suspended while the matter is looked into. Everton are not commenting on the allegations.

Brazil inaugurates World Cup arena

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff has inaugurated the second stadium designated to stage 2014 World Cup matches.

The Mineirao venue at Belo Horizonte, which has undergone a $1.7 million renovation, was given the presidential seal of approval on Friday, five days after the first arena at Fortaleza was given the all clear.

“Brazilians are showing the world that we are good both on and off the pitch,” said Rousseff.

Both grounds are also playing host to 2013 Confederations Cup matches.

Other Brazilian host cities for the Confederations Cup are Bra-silia, Salvador, Recife and Rio.

Kaka to stay at Real – Mourinho

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho does not expect to sell Kaka in January. The Brazilian is a bit-part player at Real but Mourinho wants to keep hold of him to add extra depth to the squad.

He said: “I don’t think that Kaka will go anywhere. He will stay.”

Mourinho also wished Bar-celona coach Tito Vilanova a speedy recovery as the 44-year-old began a second battle with cancer.

“With things like this we are on the same side,” Mourinho said.

“For Tito, for his family and for everyone with health problems we are all hoping together that they all recover.”

Malaga hit out at UEFA decision

Spanish side Malaga have accused UEFA of unfair and unjust treatment after they were banned from European competition for one season due to outstanding debts.

The club have also been threatened with a further year’s European ban unless they prove they have no debts to other clubs, players or the tax authorities.

A club statement said: “The measures taken against the club are disproportionate. We consider that the club is being used as an example to others.

“Given the total and absolute indignation and consternation on the part of the club, Malaga wishes to state that it will work energetically and without rest to achieve justice, using all available necessary means.”

Bosingwa fined over refusal

Jose Bosingwa has been fined two weeks’ wages by QPR for refusing to sit on the substitutes’ bench during their first Premier League win of the season.

Reports said manager Harry Redknapp imposed the maximum punishment possible on Bosingwa after taking exception to the full-back’s reaction to being dropped for last week’s 2-1 win over Fulham.

Bosingwa, who joined QPR from Chelsea last summer on a contract reportedly worth £50,000 a week, was said to have stormed out of Loftus Road after learning of his axing.

The 30-year-old was also left out of the squad for yesterday’s game at Newcastle.

Ronaldo unlikely to re-sign for United

Alex Ferguson does not believe Cristiano Ronaldo will ever return to Manchester United.

Nearly four years after leaving for Real Madrid in a world record £80 million deal, Ronaldo will be back at Old Trafford on March 5 to try and help his current team knock his old one out of the Champions League.

Ferguson has spoken about the prospect in the past and he still won’t rule it out completely. However, in sober analysis, the Scot is convinced Ronaldo will not return.

“I don’t see it,” said Ferguson.

“I would love to think it. Maybe when he is about 39 and you are coming past my grave, but it is fanciful thinking really.”

Germany can win WCup – Bierhoff

Germany can win the 2014 World Cup, team manager Oliver Bierhoff believes, pointing to the presence of three Bundesliga sides in the Champions League last 16 to support his assertion.

“Naturally we want and we can win the title,” he said.

“We’ve got lots of young players blessed with enormous potential, we’ve learned from the mistakes at Euro 2012 and because the international experience we’ve gained will give our team an extra boost.

“And with the excellent performances of Borussia Dortmund, Schalke and Bayern Munich in the Champions League the expectations regarding the mannschaft have certainly increased.”

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