Demoted: Spain’s professional league (LFP) has demoted Real Murcia from the second division to the third tier and fined them €180,000 after they failed to meet the competition’s financial criteria. A Murcia delegation led by coach Jose Manuel Aira and accompanied to the LFP headquarters in Madrid by several hundred noisily protesting fans failed to prevent the league from ratifying the sanctions yesterday.
New sponsor: Genoa will have a new shirt sponsor as from next season after agreeing a deal with British biscuit firm McVities. The Serie A club had already launched their new shirts for season 2014-15 without sponsors but yesterday they announced they had secured the backing from McVities. ISLA: Juventus defender Mauricio Isla has joined QPR on a season-long loan deal. The 26-year-old Chilean has received a work permit/governing body endorsement from the English FA and is currently back in Italy to obtain his working visa.
Brunt: West Brom head coach Alan Irvine has confirmed Chris Brunt will continue to wear the captain’s armband ahead of the new Premier League season. It means Brunt will have skippered the side under four different managers as he took up the role during the 2010-11 season, working with Roy Hodgson, Steve Clarke, Pepe Mel, and now Irvine.
McClaren: Derby head coach Steve McClaren has signed a new three-year contract. First-team coach Paul Simpson and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele have also extended their deals until 2017.
Segura: Luis Segura has been confirmed as president of the Ar-gentine football association until October 2015 following the death of Julio Grondona. Segura, who has left his post as chairman of relegated Argentinos Juniors to take charge of the AFA, said they would be talking with Gerardo Martino to take over the national team after World Cup coach Alejandro Sabella stood down.
Pinilla: Mauricio Pinilla has joined Genoa from Cagliari on a permanent basis. The 30-year-old Chile striker successfully underwent a medical yesterday and links up with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad in time for the new 2014-15 season. Pinilla had reportedly been a target for English clubs West Ham and Leeds. The latter are now owned by former Cagliari president Massimo Cellino, who has been busy raiding Italy for new players this summer.
Under-17
Hungarian international four-team tournament:
Malta 1
Friggieri 17;
Ireland 1
Levingstone 73;