Aston Villa: Former Bank of England governor Mervyn King and ex-FA chairman David Bernstein have resigned as Aston Villa directors as sale talks continued. King, a life-long Villa supporter who led the Bank of England through one of the country’s biggest-ever economic downturns during his 10 years in office from 2003 to 2013, joined the board in February. Bernstein arrived as part of a boardroom shakeup in March, with responsibilities for reviewing the “football side” at Villa.

Racial Slur: Slovenian league leaders Olimpija Ljubljana parted ways with coach Marko Nikolic yesterday by mutual consent after he was handed a seven-match ban for a racial slur against one of his own players. Club chief Milan Mandaric had initially decided to let Nikolic keep his job after the 36-year old called Nigerian striker Blessing Eleke a “black idiot” during Olim-pija’s 1-1 home draw with Zavrc on April 10. Mandaric reversed his decision following the ban.

Liverpool: Liverpool have landed yet more charges from UEFA as their Europa League campaign continues to generate off-field disciplinary issues. Proceedings have been opened following the Reds’ dramatic quarter-final second-leg victory over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield last week relating to the setting off of fireworks after a flare was thrown on to the pitch.

Danny: Portugal midfielder Danny will miss the European Championship after suffering a season-ending knee injury, his club Zenit St Petersburg said yesterday. The Russian champions said in a statement the 32-year-old had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and would be out for eight to nine months.

In Italy: Serie B – Cesena vs Crotone 2-1. Lega Pro (Group A) – AlbinoLeffe vs Padova 2-4; Cittadella vs Pordenone 3-1. Lega Pro (Group C) – Foggia vs Akragas 2-1.

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