RACISM: Racist and homophobic abuse by players will carry a minimum five-match ban from next season, the Football Association has announced. The sanction however is only half the 10-match minimum ban being introduced by UEFA into European competitions from next season, and campaigners have labelled the FA’s decision “a missed opportunity”. The FA’s sanction will be the “entry level” punishment for the “least serious” discriminatory offences with longer bans for higher level offences.

FULHAM: Sascha Riether has joined Fulham on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee from Cologne. The 30-year-old has been on loan at the Whites this season, becoming a key part of manager Martin Jol’s side. The right back has made 34 league appearances and represented Germany twice during his career.

FRANCE: Manchester City play-maker Samir Nasri has been called up by France for next month’s tour of South America following a one-year absence. Nasri had been snubbed by coach Didier Des-champs since he was banned for three matches by the French federation for insulting a reporter following the team’s Euro 2012 quarter-final defeat by Spain last June. However, Deschamps ap-peared to be impressed with the 25-year-old’s recent form.

MERKEL: Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to attend the all-German Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich at London’s Wembley stadium on May 25, but she declined to say which side she would support. “I am the chancellor of Germany so I say ‘Germany’, which means I am bound to be on the right,” she said yesterday at a conference on Europe, when asked whom she would be supporting.

METZELDER: Former Germany and Schalke 04 defender Christoph Metzelder announced his retirement following an injury-plagued 13 year-career that saw him also play for Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. “I am thankful for the 13 years. I turned professional straight out of high school and looking back I could not have hoped for a better run,” Metzelder told reporters yesterday.

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