Bayer Leverkusen defender Emir Spahic, sacked for hitting two stadium stewards earlier this month, has been banned for three months and fined 20,000 euros.
The 34-year-old former Bosnia captain was dismissed by his club two weeks ago after he and a group of friends clashed with BayArena staff following a German Cup game on April 8.
Video footage showed Spahic punching and headbutting two stewards with one of them losing several teeth.
The sanction runs to July 12, meaning Spahic can be back in action next season though he has yet to sign with any club.
Johnson charged with under-age sex
Sunderland and England midfielder Adam Johnson has been charged with four alleged offences related to sex with an under-age girl, a prosecutor said yesterday.
“Following an investigation by Durham Police, I have today authorised police to charge Adam Johnson, aged 27, with four offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003,” said Gerry Wareham, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North East, in a statement.
“The offences are alleged to have been committed on one girl aged 15 at the time.”
Johnson was initially arrested at his home on March 2 on suspicion of sex with an under-age girl.
Ref frustration
Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim was “proud” of his players but hinted of disappointment with the performance of Scottish referee Willie Collum after their Champions League run came to an end at the hands of Juventus on Wednesday.
Jardim said: “We are disappointed with the result but proud of the team and the performance.
“The refereeing? I’m not going to talk about it.
“But for a Champions League quarter-final not to depend on the quality of the players, that makes me sad. I’m sure UEFA aren’t happy about that either.”
Japan to host FIFA Club World Cup
Japan have been re-appointed as hosts of the FIFA Club World Cup for the next two years.
FIFA said the annual tournament would be held in Japan in 2015 and 2016 with this year’s edition scheduled for December 10-20.
The FIFA Club World Cup features the champions of all six FIFA confederations – Asia, Africa, CONCACAF, Europe, Oceania and South America.
As hosts, Japan will also have a team in the tournament, which was first held in Brazil in 2000 then annually since 2005.
Japan was the host in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012 while the 2009 and 2010 editions were staged in UAE and the last two in Morocco, with Real Madrid winning in 2014.
Fabregas deserves respect – Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on the club’s fans to show Cesc Fabregas “the respect he deserves” when the former Gunners captain returns to the Emirates Stadium in a Chelsea shirt.
It remains to be seen what sort of reaction the former crowd favourite will receive from home supporters on Sunday, but Wenger feels it should not be hostile.
“I want every player to be respected, and Cesc Fabregas when he comes to the Emirates on Sunday to be respected like he deserves,” the Arsenal manager said.
“The regret I have is that he wanted to leave.
“This club had a very positive influence on Cesc’s life, so I would be a bit uncomfortable to have to justify today why he is not here.”
Bayern reserve boss to coach Utrecht
Erik ten Hag will take over as coach of FC Utrecht from the start of next season and has signed a two-year contract, the Dutch club announced yesterday.
The 45-year-old moves from Bayern Munich, where he has been coaching the reserve team.
Ten Hag will replace Rob Alflen, who will depart at the end of the season after a disappointing campaign.
Utrecht are 12th in the Dutch championship with 36 points from 31 games.
Thai businessman for Milan talks
Thai businessman Bee Tae-chaubol will travel to Italy this weekend for talks to buy a stake in Serie A side Milan, a source close to Bee said yesterday.
Bee said in February he had held talks about buying a stake in the club after media reports that he had made an offer of one billion euros for a controlling stake.
“I can’t say whether he will sign a deal,” the source said, adding that she expected some progress early next month.
“It is likely that Bee will give comments in early May.”
Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has owned Milan since the 1980s.
However, his continued ownership has been at the centre of speculation as the club has struggled to compete financially with the top teams from other major European leagues.