CSKA Moscow midfielder Roman Eremenko has been given a two-year ban for testing positive for cocaine after a Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen in September.
The 29-year-old’s ban starts on October 6, which is when the Finnish international was provisionally suspended.
Eremenko, who was born in Moscow but raised in Finland, played for CSKA in their 1-0 home defeat by Tottenham a fortnight after his positive test but a week before UEFA started disciplinary proceedings.
Butland closer to Stoke City return
England goalkeeper Jack Butland is nearing a return to the Stoke City squad following an eight-month injury absence.
Butland has not featured for the Potters since March after suffering a fractured ankle during England’s 3-2 win in Germany.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes is hopeful Butland might be able to rejoin the squad sometime around the turn of the month.
“Jack is progressing really well. We had to get to the root of the problem and we understand that now,” said Hughes.
“He isn’t fully up to speed yet but we are hopeful that if he has a good week next week then he will be back within the group.”
Brazilian police fire at angry supporters
Brazilian police fired percussion grenades at rioting Internacional fans on Thursday after a 1-1 draw at home to Ponte Preta left the Porto Alegre club in danger of relegation for the first time.
Coach Celso Roth was sacked after the result and the club will look for a new coach to lead them in the last three games.
Internacional sit fourth from bottom, equal on points with Vitoria, with four teams going down. Two of their last three games are away from home at Corinthians and Fluminense.
Fans tore down barriers outside the stadium and police responded with percussion grenades and rubber bullets.
Loew and Schweini win BAMBI Awards
Germany coach, Joachim Loew, was recognised with an “Integration” award and former skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger a honorary service accolade at the BAMBI Awards this week.
Loew has spent a decade in charge of Germany and led them to their fourth World Cup title two years ago, where Schweinsteiger capped an impressive career by helping secure victory over Argentina in the final.
Schweinsteiger was given a “Special jury” prize for his services to the national team after winning 121 caps before retiring from international football in August.
The BAMBI Awards started in 1948 and annually recognises those with vision and creativity.
Chelsea duo scoop monthly awards
Chelsea’s Antonio Conte was named Premier League manager of the month yesterday after leading the club to four consecutive wins in October, while winger Eden Hazard picked up the player’s prize.
Conte saw his side pick up just one point in September, but after a tactical switch Chelsea scored 11 goals and kept four clean sheets in October.
Hazard, who scored three goals in October, has been key to Chelsea’s revival and said adopting a more single-minded approach in front of goal had helped him rediscover his best form.
“People said I didn’t shoot enough,” he said.
“Now I try to shoot and score every game. Before I was thinking about the last pass to make an assist, now I can do it myself.”
Robbie Keane to leave LA Galaxy
Striker Robbie Keane will leave LA Galaxy after his contract expires in December, the MLS club have announced.
The former Ireland captain, who retired from international football in August, joined Galaxy from Tottenham in 2011.
“I can confirm that after five fantastic years I will be leaving the LA Galaxy,” Keane said.
“Winning three MLS Cups, scoring over 100 goals for the club and being named as 2014 MVP are all achievements that I will look back on with pride.”
The 36-year-old, who scored on his American debut against San Jose Earthquakes, also supplied 51 assists in his six seasons with the club.
Strachan survives Scottish FA review
Gordon Strachan will continue as coach of Scotland’s national football team, the Scottish FA has announced after reviewing the team’s poor start to their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The review follows Scotland’s loss to England at Wembley last week which saw them slump to fifth place in Group F.
“Following the review, the decision has been taken to continue to support Gordon Strachan and his staff,” the Scottish FA said in a statement.
Scotland beat bottom-placed Malta, but suffered 3-0 defeats against second-placed Slovakia and pool-toppers England.
They were held 1-1 by fourth-placed Lithuania.