Ranocchia: Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia has been suspended for two matches for confronting the fourth official at the end of Saturday’s meeting with Genoa, the Lega Serie A has confirmed. The 24-year-old, who has also been fined 10,000 euros, has been punished for using a “provocative expression” towards the official following a 1-1 draw at the San Siro.

Doping: Two top flight footballers in Argentina have been suspended on suspicion of doping. The Argentine tribunal said it had decided to “suspend provisionally” Newell’s Old Boys defender Lucas Bernardi and Arsenal striker Gustavo Canales after they returned positive tests. More tests will follow ahead of potential sanctions while the federation did not reveal what substances had shown up in the initial samples.

Smith: Greek Super League club Xanthi announced that they have signed British winger Ryan Smith for an undisclosed fee. Smith, 26, last played for Chivas USA and before that was with Sporting Kansas City. He previously had brief spells with Crystal Palace, Southampton, Millwall, Derby, Leicester City and was as a youngster on the books of Arsenal.

Abdoun: Algeria midfielder Djamel Abdoun has been ruled out of next month's African Nations Cup in South Africa because of injury, the country's football federation said. The Olympiakos player, who was a member of the Algeria squad at the 2010 World Cup, suffered a thigh injury earlier this month and has been told he cannot play for the next five weeks.

GFA Div. Two: Munxar vs Għarb Rangers 2-0; Oratory Youths vs St Lawrence Spurs 4-1.

Swan League: Christmas Cup final – Valletta St Pauli vs Marsa-xlokk AFC 2-1. Division Two – Baħrija AFC vs Mqabba Albions 3-2.