Points docked: Panathinaikos’ hopes of winning a 21st Greek Super League title were dented yesterday after their appeal against a three-point deduction was rejected by the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO). It was the second setback to hit Panathinaikos in less than 24 hours as they were beaten 2-0 by Atromitos Athinon on Wednesday. The failure of the appeal means Panathinaikos trail leaders Olympiakos, who have two games in hand, by three points as their total has been recalculated to 58 points.

Fekir: Lyon forward Nabil Fekir was called up to the France squad yesterday only days after he opted to play for Les Bleus intsead of Algeria. Fekir, who has scored 11 goals and set up seven others in Ligue 1 for leaders Lyon and has dual nationality, said on March 9 that he was choosing the France shirt. Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud returns to the squad for next week’s friendlies against Brazil and Denmark after injury ruled him out of last November’s games.

Lorient: Lorient have tied down two of their brightest young talents with Yoann Wachter and Valentin Lavigne both signing new deals at the Stade du Moustoir. The Ligue 1 club announced this week that 22-year-old defender Wechter had signed a two-year extension until 2017 while striker Lavigne, 20, will now stay in Brittany until 2019.

Targett: Southampton defender Matt Targett has been called up to the England Under-21s for the first time as Gareth Southgate’s men prepare for matches later this month. The 19-year-old has been a regular for Southampton and England Under-20s but could now win a first under-21 cap, either for the game against European Championship hosts the Czech Republic in Prague or against Germany in Middlesbrough.