Romanian champions Steaua Bucharest have reached agreement with the country’s defence ministry to be allowed to use the club’s name in their Europa League match against Dynamo Kiev on Thursday.

The 1986 European Cup winners said the agreement followed a meeting between Steaua president Valeriu Argaseala and ministry representatives yesterday.

Steaua, founded in 1947 as an army side, had their registration cancelled by the Black Sea state’s highest court after losing a battle over their trademark with the defence ministry.

The court verdict had effectively left the most popular club in Romania with no name.

USA friendlies

The United States will travel to Germany to face coach Juergen Klinsmann’s former team in a June 2015 friendly.

US Soccer said they had lined up seven friendlies for the opening six months of next year with a trip to the Netherlands on June 5. The US will face Germany five days later, marking the third time Klinsmann has faced his home country.

Germany enjoyed a 1-0 win in the group stage of the World Cup in Brazil while a year earlier, the United States scored a 4-3 friendly win in Washington DC.

The year for the US starts with a visit to Chile on January 28.

Wilshere prognosis

Jack Wilshere remains on course to return from his latest ankle injury on schedule in around the middle of February.

It was reported yesterday that the midfielder had suffered a setback in his recovery and could be out until at least March.

But Arsenal said the original prognosis still stands, with Wilshere set to return after a 12-week absence following the injury suffered last month.

The derby against Tottenham on February 7 is likely to be just too soon for Wilshere to make his return.

Abusive fans

Spain’s professional league (LFP) has moved to show it is serious about tackling violence and abuse by vowing to report Real Madrid fans who sang insulting chants about Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and the Catalan club.

The referee did not mention the chants in his report on Real’s La Liga game at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday but Javier Tebas, the LFP president, said the LFP would refer the fans to the Spanish federation’s (RFEF) competition committee.

Soccer authorities have pledged to crack down on abusive fans after a Deportivo supporter was killed in apparently organised fighting near Atletico Madrid’s stadium late last month.

“There were insults and unacceptable chants so I gave the order to report them,” Tebas said.

Costa urged to improve fitness

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has called on striker Diego Costa to improve his fitness as he seeks to end his scoreless run.

The Spain international hit the ground running after signing from Atletico Madrid in the summer, scoring seven goals in his first four Blues appearances. But he has netted only twice in his last seven, having been hampered by hamstring problems.

Mourinho’s men suffered their first defeat of the season at Newcastle on Saturday, with Costa again failing to trouble the scorers.

“For me, the problem is not the goals – they will come as a consequence of his condition,” Mourinho said.

“He has to improve his condition. He was injured and had many doubts because he went a long time without training. I don’t think there is any problem but he has to recover.”

Bolasie is playing with confidence

Yannick Bolasie has been given a licence to thrill at Crystal Palace.

In just seven years, the winger has gone from non-league Hillingdon Borough to the English Premier League, via Malta and a host of Football League clubs.

It has been quite the journey for Bolasie and the upward trajectory looks set to continue.

The 25-year-old winger was the outstanding player in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Tottenham.

“I try to enjoy the game and the manager has given me a little bit of licence to enjoy myself,” Bolasie said.

So impressive has Bolasie been that Liverpool are reported to be among the vultures circling over Selhurst Park.

Japan rugby boys get Pep talk

Not satisfied with conquering the soccer world, Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has branched out into rugby and been assisting Japan coach Eddie Jones.

Jones said he sought out the “best soccer coach” following last month’s defeats to Romania and Georgia as he aims to lead Japan to a first win at a rugby World Cup since their sole success over Zimbabwe in 1991.

Jones said Pep Guardiola had been a big help.

“I watched Bayern train and had a good meeting with the head coach and I think we can improve greatly with adjustments in the way we train,” Jones said.

“Guardiola is the best soccer coach in the world and you always want to learn from the best.”

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