Koke: Champions Atletico Madrid will be boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Koke for today’s La Liga game at fifth-placed Sevilla, coach Diego Simeone said. Koke picked up a hamstring strain in the 4-0 victory at home to Real Madrid on Feb. 7 and Atletico have stumbled in his absence, losing 2-0 at Celta Vigo in La Liga and falling 1-0 at Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League last 16, first leg.
A-League: Perth Glory left it late as they consolidated their position at the top of the A-League with a 2-2 draw at home to Brisbane Roar. Daniel Da Silva fired the Glory in front after 26 minutes but Brisbane hit back with goals from Jean Carlos Solorzano and Matt McKay. However, the dismissal of visiting defender Corey Brown after 76 minutes swung things back in Perth’s favour and Dino Djulbic eventually netted an equaliser on 84 minutes.
Almeria: Almeria have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a FIFA decision to dock them three points for what Spanish media said was unpaid debts. Almeria confirmed the points deduction on their website without explaining what the sanction was for and said it would not take effect until CAS had heard their appeal. Media reports said the decision by FIFA was prompted by a complaint from Danish team Aalborg over the Spanish side’s signing of centre-back Michael Jakobsen in July 2010.
Birmingham: The Football League has received assurances Birmingham are in no immediate financial danger. The club’s parent company, Birmingham International Holdings Limited, appointed receivers last month to try to end the infighting among board members. They appointed Ernst and Young Transactions Limited to manage the company day-to-day and no winding up petition was filed against the BIHL and it is not in liquidation.
Magath: Former Fulham boss Felix Magath has proxied his shares in Rangers to the club’s supporters ahead of this week’s crucial general meeting. The German coach – three times a Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg – made a surprise purchase of 810,000 shares in the Glasgow giants last month. But with a week to go until the decisive Ibrox shareholder meeting which could force the current regime out of the Blueroom, he has now handed control of his stake to the Rangers Supporters Trust.
Gigliotti: Boca Juniors striker Emmanuel Gigliotti has agreed to go to China Super League club Chongqing Lifan on loan until June given the competition for places with the arrival of Daniel Osvaldo. The club has yet to officially announce the departure of centre forward Gigliotti, who has seen little action this season following the signing of Italy striker Osvaldo on loan from Southampton last month.