Manchester United have sacked their Denmark-based scout Torben Aakjaer for posting alleged offensive messages on Facebook.
The club investigated his account after being alerted to the posts by The Guardian newspaper.
The posts have since been removed, but United have told Aakjaer his services are no longer required. He had worked for them since 2011.
United said in a statement: “The club received evidence from The Guardian and has ended our association with Mr Aakjaer.
“Manchester United is an inclusive organisation and will not tolerate this sort of behaviour.”
Fans to get refund
Millwall chairman John Berylson is to refund the cost of tickets for fans who travelled to Wednesday night’s humiliating FA Cup defeat at Bradford.
Manager Ian Holloway apologised to supporters after his side were thumped 4-0 and the 456 fans who purchased their tickets in advance of the game will now get their money back.
A statement on Berylson’s behalf on Millwall’s website, www.millwallfc.co.uk, read: “He wishes to thank everyone for their continued support during difficult times.”
Simeone junior shows potential
Giovanni Simeone wants to be known for his skills and not as the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone after impressing in a two-goal performance for Argentina’s under-20 side.
Argentina crushed Ecuador 5-2 in their opening match of the South American under-20 championship in Uruguay on Wednesday.
“I had a hard time trying to make my team-mates understand I’m not a different (sort of) person, I haven’t come here because I’m the son of (someone famous),” the Madrid-born 19-year-old told the Argentine sports daily Ole.
“I’m trying to show my skills and personality,” added Simeone, who has already had first division experience with River Plate.
Hamburg chasing Drmic signature
Hamburg director of sport Dietmar Beiersdorfer says negotiations to sign Josip Drmic from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen are progressing, although a deal is not yet in the air.
The northern Germany side have turned to the former Nurnberg forward as the man they want to improve the worst attack in the division.
Hamburg scored only nine goals in the first half of the season.
“Of course we’re in talks and something is moving, but I cannot yet see a deal being struck,” Beiersdorfer said.
Earlier, Leverkusen’s director of sport Rudi Voeller ruled out the transfer. “We’re not selling Josip,” Voeller told Bild. “He still has an important role to play with Bayer.”
Moyes munches crisps with fans
David Moyes made light of his first dismissal since taking over as Real Sociedad manager when he leapt over a fence into the stands to watch the rest of the match and accepted crisps from a girl sitting behind him on Wednesday.
Moyes was sent off for a protesting against an offside decision with around 10 minutes remaining of Sociedad’s King’s Cup last 16, second leg at home to Villarreal.
The former Manchester United and Everton manager prompted smiles among home fans and a wave of Twitter comments when he showed impressive agility to scale the fence and find a vacant seat.
Sociedad drew the match at their Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian 2-2 and were eliminated 3-2 on aggregate.
Udinese cancel Muriel transfer
Udinese have announced that Luis Muriel will remain at the club until the end of the season after the Colombian international’s transfer to Sampdoria collapsed.
Both clubs agreed a €15 million transfer deal last week that would see the 23-year-old forward move permanently to the Genoa outfit.
As part of the deal, Italian centre-back Andrea Coda was also set to join Samp from Udinese.
However, Muriel failed a medical at Sampdoria earlier this week and the Blucerchiati reportedly demanded a discount in price, claiming the South American would be out for a month with a muscular problem.
Zapata foot blow for Milan
Milan are likely to be without Cristian Zapata for at least a month due to a foot injury.
The Colombian centre-back suffered his setback in Tuesday’s 2-1 triumph over Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia and tests have revealed a fracture in his right foot.
A statement from Milan read: “Milan announces that in the last stages of the game between Milan and Sassuolo, Cristian Zapata, following contact during play, has suffered a bone fracture in his second metatarsal of his right foot.”
The Rossoneri have not revealed the expected recovery time but given the nature of the injury the 28-year-old would not be expected to feature for at least four weeks.