Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf missed a penalty as leaders Cruzeiro thumped Botafogo 3-0 in their top-of-the-table clash to open up a seven-point lead in the Brazilian championship.
Botafogo complained that their bus was stoned as it arrived at Belo Horizonte’s Mineirao stadium.
Nilton put Cruzeiro ahead just before half-time.
Former Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Seedorf, 37, had the chance to equalise when Botafogo were awarded a penalty after the break but the Dutchman rolled a weak effort past the left-hand post.
Julio Baptista then came off the bench to score two more goals for Cruzeiro, the first from the penalty spot.
Adrian fractures cheekbone
Atletico Madrid forward Adrian fractured a cheekbone in Wed-nesday’s 3-1 Champions League victory at home to Zenit St Petersburg and underwent surgery yesterday, the Primera Liga club said.
In the absence of the suspended Diego Costa, Adrian started the match at the Calderon but had to come off 12 minutes from time after sustaining a blow to the face.
Coach Diego Simeone was delighted with Adrian’s performance against the Russian side.
“He is an extremely important player for us and his work was exactly what the team needed,” Simeone said.
Match-fixing probe in Singapore
Singapore authorities have arrested 14 people on sus-picion of being involved in a global football match-fixing network, Interpol has confirmed.
The 12 men and two women were arrested following raids across Singapore in the early hours of Tuesday, with one of the people taken into custody the suspected leader.
The arrests were part of a joint operation led by Singapore Police and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
Rodgers: Suarez fighting to be fit
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed Luis Suarez is “working his socks off” to be fit and ready to return when his suspension for biting Branislav Ivanovic ends next week.
“We have been organising some games behind closed doors, both in terms of in-house 11-a-side matches and bringing teams in,” Rodgers told various newspapers.
“The idea is that hopefully when he steps back in it will be seamless. Of course there will be a transitional period for him but I am really looking forward to having him back. He is working his socks off.”
Klopp blames own outburst for defeat
Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp has apologised for screaming at a fourth official and being sent off 30 minutes into his side’s 2-1 defeat at Napoli in the Cham-pions League on Wednesday.
Klopp was furious with the fourth official for not letting defender Neven Subotic back onto the pitch sooner after an injury break, allowing Napoli to score in the process.
“I apologised immediately after the game to my team, the fourth official and the referee as well,” Klopp told reporters.
“I have to accept the consequences for my actions. I was like a clown out there. That was stupid.
“My emotions turned a well-run game into a hectic affair.”
Gibson ready for Ireland return
Darron Gibson is ready to end his self-imposed Ireland exile follo-wing Giovanni Trapattoni’s exit as manager.
The 25-year-old Everton midfielder has made himself unavailable for his country since returning from the Euro 2012 finals without kicking a ball.
“I never really wanted to make a big deal of it to be honest with you. But after what happened at the Euros, I just felt I couldn’t play under him (Trapattoni) any-more.
“I was embarrassed when I came back from the Euros (after) not winning a game and not getting on the pitch.
“I was playing every week at the time for Everton and we finished in the top six of the Premier League.”
Ajax fail to overturn bus ban
Ajax Amsterdam have lost a court bid to overturn a ban on their supporters attending Sunday’s game at fellow Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, the club said yesterday.
Ajax, together with two supporters groupings, wanted their fans to be allowed to travel to the Philips Stadium by coach but a court in Den Bosch upheld a ban imposed by the city of Eindhoven.
Special trains that would usually have carried supporters from Amsterdam to Eindhoven have been cancelled because of work on the line. The bus alternative was rejected by Eindhoven mayor Rob van Gijzel for fears of supporter violence.