Sporting briefs

BENITEZ: Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has denied media reports earlier yesterday that he had named former Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez as the new Napoli manager. “I’ve closed the deal for a new manager but I can’t officially announce it until I receive the go-ahead from the other club with which he is under contract until June 30,” he said.

GILL: Manchester United’s out-going chief executive David Gill has been elected to UEFA’s executive committee. One of Gill’s rivals for a seat, Portugal’s Fernando Gomes, withdrew from the election. That left eight candidates for eight seats and Gill and the seven others were elected by acclamation.

HERTHA: Hertha Berlin have completed the signing of defender Johannes van den Bergh on a free transfer from Dusseldorf. Hertha, recently crowned Division Two champions, are strengthening ahead of their return to the top flight and have wasted no time in snapping up the 26-year-old Van den Bergh on a three-year deal.

ANDUJAR: Catania goalkeeper Mariano Andujar yesterday agreed to extend his contract with the Serie A club. The Argentine inked a contract that sees him at Catania until June 2015. Reports said that Andujar’s stand-in, Alberto Frison, is on his way to Fiorentina.

GIBRALTAR: Gibraltar was finally accepted as a member of UEFA yesterday, allowing their national team and clubs to take part in international competition. UEFA’s Congress voted in favour of a motion to allow the tiny British colony, which has a population of around 28,000, to become its 54th member.

MONACO: Porto have sold midfielders Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez to Monaco for €70 million. Porto will receive €45 million for Colombian Rodriguez and €25 million for Portuguese international Moutinho. Both players have signed five-year contracts.