World players’ union FIFPro has warned members not to sign for football clubs in Serbia because they run the risk of not getting paid.

FIFPro and the Serbian Players’ Association (SPFN) said that eight of the 16 teams in the top flight have had their accounts blocked by the Serbian national bank and could not pay players and other employees.

FIFPro secretary general Theo van Seggelen said: “Players haven’t been paid for months and encounter serious financial problems. Clubs are on the verge of going bankrupt.

“On top of that, I received the shocking news that one of the clubs totally disrespects players’ rights and even allow hooligans to threaten their players.”

Defender Johnson out for a month

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson will be out for around a month with a groin injury.

The 30-year-old tore his groin during the first half of Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and according to the Liverpool Echo, the England defender will be missing for at least a month.

Johnson, who is out of contract at the end of the season, will undergo a scan to confirm the full extent of the injury, but he is expected to miss Liverpool’s hectic Christmas and New Year Premier League programme.

Bayern record

Arjen Robben grabbed his 100th goal for the club as undefeated Bayern Munich outclassed Freiburg 2-0 on Tuesday to consolidate their lead at the top of the table and create a Bundesliga defensive record.

Despite losing Xabi Alonso, Mehdi Benatia and Robert Lewandowski to injury during the match, Bayern claimed an 11th win in 12 league outings and their powerful back line prevented Freiburg producing an effort on goal for the opening 75 minutes.

The Bavarians have let in just three goals in 16 league matches this season, a new record that improves on Stuttgart’s mark from season 2003-04.

More foreigners in the Russian league

More foreign players will be allowed to feature in the Russian Premier League next season after the Russian Football Union (RFS) said a new quota system would come into effect.

The new rules will see clubs allowed to register 10 foreigners and 15 Russians in their squad.

The new regulations mean that all 10 foreign players would be allowed to appear on the pitch at the same time.

At present, a system of seven foreigners and four Russians is in place, meaning four players with Russian passports must appear on the pitch at any one time.

Leicester manager accepts FA charge

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson has accepted a Football Association charge of using in-sulting words towards a fan.

The FA has confirmed that the 51-year-old has accepted the charge of using “abusive and/or insulting words towards a spectator” during his side’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool and has requested a personal hearing.

Pearson had refused to apologise to the fan despite a video emerging of the incident and calls from the Leicester City Supporters Club to say sorry.

Pearson said in the wake of the incident: “I have had run-ins with fans in the past and in the heat of the moment these things happen and there won’t be any apology.”

Contra urged to accept China offer

Financially-troubled Getafe have urged their Romanian coach Cosmin Contra to accept Chinese side Guangzhou R&F’s job offer and help the La Liga club to raise funds.

“I’m the only one at Getafe who has an offer, they want to sell me in China,” Contra, who took over at the Spanish club in March, told local media.

“They suggested I should help the club. I know the problems and I would do that for the club which is going through some pretty bad financial times.”

The manager’s job at Guangzhou R&F became vacant after much-travelled Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson quit last month.

Ramos itching to make Real return

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is hopeful he will be able to play in the final of the Club World Cup after coming off with injury in the 4-0 semi-final victory over Cruz Azul.

Ramos opened the scoring but was substituted due to discomfort in his left thigh.

“I am not in too much discomfort and we hope it isn’t anything serious,” he said.

“They are going to take a look at it tomorrow, and see how I am feeling then. I hope to play in Saturday’s final.”

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti was also confident Ramos would feature in the final, adding: “We aren’t worried as it was simply a case of slightly hurting a muscle and he will recover well in two days and he will be available for the final.”

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