Celtic have announced they are closing off the section of their stadium that houses the Green Brigade fans group.
Celtic say their “sole motiva-tion” is safety after warning sup-porters over several issues last week in the wake of a UEFA dis-ciplinary charge over the use of fireworks at their Champions League clash with Cliftonville.
Fans will be offered the chance to relocate to another part of the ground or receive a refund on season tickets. The supporters had earlier issued a statement describing the club’s actions as “pathetic” and revealing they were seeking legal advice.
N’Diaye denies Di Canio problem
Sunderland midfielder Alfred N’Diaye, 23, is adamant his return to Turkey has been sparked by his desire to play rather than a fall-out with manager Paolo Di Canio.
The club confirmed just over a week ago N’Diaye would surprisingly join Eskisehirspor on a season-long loan, despite only arriving from another Turkish side, Bursaspor, in a £3.8 million deal in January.
“There was no problem with the coach,” N’Diaye said.
“We talked about my expectations because I need playing time.
“I’m at an age where I need to play, so it was agreed to my loan. I could have stayed but I preferred the loan.”
Pep pressure
Pep Guardiola watched his Bayern Munich side cruise through to the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Monday and then admitted the pressure is on the European champions to win every match they play.
Bayern were never troubled by fourth-tier side BSV Rehden, Thomas Muller grabbing a hat-trick in a 5-0 win.
“Cup ties are always dangerous,” Guardiola said.
“Four Bundesliga clubs were knocked out. We’re satisfied about going through.
“I’m aware of which club I’ve joined, we have to win every match, but that’s normal. I accept the pressure. We’ve only been together seven weeks so we still have to improve a lot.”
Scolari issues Breno appeal
Brazil’s national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has appealed to the German justice system to release Breno from his prison sentence.
The 23-year-old former Bayern Munich defender has spent over a year in prison after being found guilty of arson in July 2012.
He was sentenced to three years and nine months in custody, although there has recently been talk of day release for the player.
Scolari said: “I would like to ask for it to be considered whether the lad has not deserved a second chance. We would be very grateful if the people responsible in Germany would hear our plea, also because it is a plea from the whole of Brazil.”
Barca’s Neymar on the mend
Neymar has admitted he has been treated for anaemia during Barcelona’s pre-season tour of Asia but insisted his condition has improved.
The Brazil forward underwent an operation to remove his tonsils less than a week after the Confederations Cup, a tournament he starred in. Barca have confirmed that Neymar has anaemia but declared it would not prevent him from training with his team-mates, and the player confirmed he was on the mend.
“I’m better. I’m receiving treatment from doctors but now I feel fine and I am ready to train,” Neymar said.
“It’s true that after the operation there were a few complications but now I’m better.”
Pope pays ‘dues’ to favourite club
Pope Francis, a card-carrying fan of the San Lorenzo soccer club in his native Buenos Aires, is not letting his new global responsibilities distract him from paying his club dues on time, the team’s vice president, Marcelo Tinelli, said.
“His payment is there, bang on time, every month. He pays his dues religiously,” Tinelli told reporters.
“It’s paid through an automatic debit.”
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was known for his modest lifestyle when he lived in Argentina. He often talked soccer while riding the bus to work as archbishop, celebrating San Lorenzo’s wins, and lamenting their losses.
Steward trampled by police horse
A steward was taken to hospital with a shoulder injury after being trampled by a police horse following a pitch invasion at the end of a League Cup tie between Preston and Blackpool on Monday.
The BBC reported that after Preston beat Blackpool 1-0, the steward was trying to clear fans off the playing area at Deepdale when he was knocked down by a police horse.
“This is the problem in football and we talk about the respect campaign and you see enough incidents in football where fans are allowed to run on the pitch,” an angry Blackpool manager Paul Ince said.
“We’ve seen goalkeepers get hit and players get punched. When are we going to learn?”