Paraguay have named Francisco Arce as their new coach, giving a second chance to the 45-year-old who failed to set them on course for a place at the 2014 World Cup.
Arce replaces Argentine Ramon Diaz, who resigned after Paraguay’s group stage elimination at the Copa America Centenario in the US in June.
The former Paraguay right-back, who played at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, will be looking to see the team through to the 2018 finals in Russia.
Paraguay are a lowly seventh in the South American qualifying group after six matches.
Chelsea confirm Salah sale to Roma
Egypt winger Mohamed Salah has left Chelsea to join Roma on a permanent deal.
The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Roma, scoring 14 goals and contributing six assists to help the capital club to a third-placed finish in Serie A.
He moved to Chelsea from Basel in January 2014, but was loaned to Fiorentina a year later after struggling to make an impact at Stamford Bridge, managing just 13 Premier League appearances.
He scored six goals in 16 league outings for Fiorentina, but rejected the chance to return to Florence in order to spend last season with Roma.
Two young players killed in car crash
UEFA have offered their support to Slovenian club Maribor following the deaths of two of their young players in a car crash on Tuesday.
Left-back Damjan Marjanovic and forward Zoran Baljak, both 20, were killed in an accident as they returned from training.
Two of their team-mates, Ziga Lipuscek and Ljubomir Moravac, who are both 19, were injured in the crash, with the latter in a serious condition.
UEFA also confirmed that there would be a minute’s silence before Maribor’s Europa League third qualifying round tie at home against Aberdeen today.
Schalke 04 sign defender Coke
Spanish defender Coke has signed a three-year contract with Schalke 04 after they reached an agreement with Sevilla over a reported €5 million transfer.
The Bundesliga club confirmed the completion of the transfer on their website yesterday, after Coke had already bid an emotional farewell to Europa League holders Sevilla.
“Coke is a good defensive player with a wealth of international experience,” said Schalke’s director of sport Christian Heidel.
Coke, who will wear the number 23 shirt, will have an opportunity to defend the UEFA Europa League crown with different colours this season, with Schalke assured of their place in the group stage.
Draxler demands Wolfsburg exit
Julian Draxler has revealed his frustration with Wolfsburg and confirmed that he wants to leave the Bundesliga club this summer.
The Germany international has been linked with a move away, with Arsenal reportedly interested, although Wolfsburg have suggested that the midfielder is happy to remain at a club he only joined 12 months ago.
Draxler said: “The situation with me is that I made it clear to (coach) Dieter Hecking that I would like to leave Wolfsburg. The coach has known about this for three weeks.”
Draxler turned down the chance to join Juventus last summer after being given assurances by the Wolves that he would be allowed to leave were a big club to come in for him.
Apoel leave it late
Apoel Nicosia produced a stunning Champions League qualifying victory as three injury-time goals knocked out Rosenborg Trondheim late Tuesday and sent the Cypriots through to the play-off round.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Norway, Apoel looked to be heading out as the game entered stoppage time.
However, Giannis Gianniotas, Brazilian Vander and Argentine Tomas De Vincenti, the third coming in the ninth minute of time added-on, struck to snatch a 3-0 second-leg win and shatter the Norwegian league leaders and domestic champions.
There were eight bookings in-cluding three in injury time.
Swansea reject bid for captain Williams
Swansea City have turned down a bid for skipper Ashley Williams from Everton.
Everton had bid £10 million for the 31-year-old central defender, according to British media.
Williams, who captained Wales during their run to the semi-finals of the European Championship, featured in 36 Premier league games for Swansea last season.
“We are not looking to sell him and therefore we have turned down the offer currently on the table,” a Swansea club spokes-man said.
Williams is one of the most experienced central defenders in the English top flight having made more than 300 appearances for Swansea since joining from Stockport County in 2008.