Torino will be without experienced defender Salvatore Masiello for at least three weeks with a hamstring injury, the Serie A club announced.
The Italian left-back sat out the 1-0 defeat over Sassuolo last weekend and now faces a further spell on the sidelines.
Masiello will miss three Serie A games, including Sunday’s Turin derby at Juventus, as well as tomorrow’s Europa League home game against Club Brugge and the trip to Denmark to face FC Copenhagen on December 11.
The 32-year-old should recover in time for the home clash against Genoa on December 21.
Caniggia lookalike
A consumer rights official has vowed to question the organisers of a masters match after Argentina brought a lookalike rather than the advertised Claudio Caniggia to take part in a veterans game.
Organisers promised that Sunday’s game between Brazil and Argentina would feature a host of former World Cup players.
But none of them turned up and in place of Caniggia, famous for his distinctive long blonde hair, Argentina fielded lookalike Daniel Cordone, the former Velez Sarsfield striker who once had an unsuccessful stint at Newcastle.
One of the organisers said he was not aware the no.7 was a fake Caniggia but Argentine players said the former Boca Juniors player had missed his flight.
Greek football league set to resume
Top flight matches in Greece will resume this weekend after the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) said it would lift the suspension imposed after a referees’ official was attacked by two men.
The suspension was lifted after the Super League elected a new president on Monday and gave assurances to the EPO that it would work to stamp out violence in the game.
No matches were played last week after the EPO announced it would not appoint any referees in the wake of the violent attack on Christoforos Zografos, the assistant director of the Central Refereeing Committee.
Man. United will not lodge complaint
Man. United have decided against lodging a complaint over an incident at the Emirates Stadium which saw an Arsenal fan throw red wine at the visitors’ bench.
A fan was arrested following the incident which happened after an own goal by Kieran Gibbs saw United take the lead in the 2-1 win on Saturday.
United confirmed an incident took place but are happy with how Arsenal dealt with the situation and will not make a complaint.
Former United manager Alex Ferguson had previously complained about the visitors’ dug-out at the Emirates being “too open” and not providing adequate protection for his players.
Dutchman Stevens returns to Stuttgart
Dutchman Huub Stevens returned to Stuttgart as coach just months after saving them from relegation, the Bundesliga’s bottom club said.
“The 60-year-old takes over with immediate effect,” Stuttgart said in a statement yesterday.
“He will lead team training this afternoon.”
Stevens, who has also coached Schalke 04, Hertha Berlin and Hamburg, took over at Stuttgart in March and helped them stay in the top flight.
The club then hired Armin Veh, who led them to the 2007 title, but he managed only two wins in 12 league games to leave Stuttgart anchored at the bottom.
Veh resigned as coach on Monday saying a change of leadership was necessary.
Pellegrini dismisses Messi rumours
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed rumours that the club could attempt to sign Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
Messi’s future at Barca has been the subject of recent speculation despite the Argentinian’s hero status at the Nou Camp and his phenomenal goalscoring record.
The 27-year-old scored a hat-trick last weekend to become the all-time leading scorer in La Liga.
City are one of few clubs in the world with the finance and status to attempt to lure Messi.
But Pellegrini said: “The rumours are only rumours.
“What he did was exceptional and there are few players that can reach his level. The record he has got reflects how important he is for Barcelona.”
Lambert unfazed by poor attendance
Boss Paul Lambert defended Aston Villa’s fans after their lowest league gate for 15 years.
Just 25,311 watched Villa hold Southampton to a 1-1 draw at Villa Park, where Gabriel Agbonlahor’s opener was cancelled out by Nathaniel Clyne.
It was the lowest crowd in the Premier League at Villa Park since a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday in 1999, when just 23,885 turned up. But Lambert insisted the Villa Park faithful have always given him their backing.
“People paid hard-earned money and they are still getting behind you, that’s what this team needs,” he said.
“They have been great... I’ve got nothing but compliments for the supporters here. It’s a massive football club with massive expectancy levels.”