Germany’s Commerzbank ex-tended its naming rights deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s stadium for five years to 2020, the Bundesliga club said yesterday.
The bank has had the rights for the city-owned stadium since 2005 with more than 12.5 million visitors at 2,000 sports and entertainment events.
Eintracht returned to the Bundesliga in 2012 and this season established themselves in mid-table under coach Thomas Schaaf.
Frankfurt is also the seat of the German football federation with the team regularly using the stadium for matches.
Racism ‘rife in English football’
Racism is widespread in English football with police having to deal with hundreds of incidents from the top of the game right down to grassroots level, an investigation has revealed.
It also revealed that Chelsea supporters have been involved in the highest number of reported racist incidents as they travelled to and from matches on trains.
The information, gathered by the Press Association from 24 police forces across the country, shows there have been over 350 incidents since 2012.
But as that only accounts for around half the police forces in the country, the actual figure is likely to be much higher.
Zidane monitors Pep
Zinedine Zidane is among seven French coaches to have taken advantage of the international break in order to head to German champions Bayern Munich for a short visit.
The group comprises Zidane, assistant coach of Real Madrid’s B team, Bordeaux boss Willy Sagnol, former Bastia manager Claude Makelele, Guy Lacombe, Bernard Diomede, Claude Le Roy and Franck Thivilier.
Sagnol played for Bayern from 2000 to 2009 but Zidane, a triple World Player of the Year and 1998 World Cup winner, is the highest-profile of the visitors.
The seven will monitor training under Spaniard Pep Guardiola today.
Simeone extends Atletico contract
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has agreed to extend his contract with the Spanish champions by three years to 2020.
The deal, which runs until the end of the 2019-20 campaign, was widely expected although that did not prevent plenty of speculation a wealthy rival could try to lure Simeone away from the club he twice represented as a player.
“I have chosen to be here because I am convinced the club will continue to grow,” Simeone told a news conference.
“Because it is strong, there is enthusiasm and there are people here whose desire to participate is stronger each day,” added the 44-year-old Argentine.
Klose undecided over Lazio future
Lazio forward Miroslav Klose has suggested this season might be his last.
The Germany World Cup winner has another year to go on his contract with the Serie A club, having triggered an extension clause by featuring in over 20 matches this season, but he remains undecided as to whether he will remain in Rome.
Returning for one final year in the Bundesliga, playing in another country or hanging up his boots altogether are the alternatives the 37-year-old.
“I wanted this option and am delighted to have it because it gives me security, but I will sit down with my family when the time is right and make a decision,” he said.
Striker Costa out of Ukraine qualifier
Spain forward Diego Costa will miss the holders’ Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Ukraine on Friday and a friendly away to Netherlands four days later due to a hamstring injury sustained playing for Chelsea at the weekend.
Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) medical staff confirmed the injury in tests in Madrid and Costa has withdrawn from the squad, the RFEF said on Spain’s official website yesterday.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has already drafted Juanmi in as cover, the 21-year-old Malaga forward winning his first call-up.
With four matches played, Spain are second in Group C on nine points, three behind leaders Slovakia.
CSKA Sofia appoint Ivanov
CSKA Sofia have appointed an inexperienced Galin Ivanov as the head coach on a temporary basis, the 31-times Bulgarian champions announced yesterday.
Ivanov, 39, replaces fan favourite Stoycho Mladenov who quit on Friday after the team’s three successive defeats, saying he doesn’t feel the support of the club’s shareholders.
Former CSKA defender Ivanov, tasked primarily with igniting CSKA’s misfiring attack, has never previously coached a senior club and has only been in charge of several CSKA’s youth formations.
CSKA are second in the league with 45 points from 23 matches, three behind Ludogorets, who won the title in the last three years. CSKA visit Ludogorets on April 4 in Ivanov’s debut.