Matches across all Ukrainian leagues scheduled for this weekend, as well as the domestic cup final next Thursday, are to be played behind closed doors for security reasons, the Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU) has confirmed on its website.
Political unrest, provoked by pro-Russian separatists in southern and eastern parts of the country has also forced matches in the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kharkiv and Odessa regions to be relocated.
With only two rounds remaining in the Ukrainian Premier League, officials have yet to decide if supporters will be allowed into stadiums for the final week of fixtures.
World Cup relief for Phil Jones
Phil Jones should be fit to go to the World Cup with England after his shoulder injury proved less serious than was feared, Manchester United interim manager Ryan Giggs said yesterday.
Jones came off in the 16th minute of United’s 3-1 win over Hull on Tuesday after a clash with Maynor Figueroa.
Giggs said Jones did not dislocate his left shoulder as had been the concern.
“Phil’s injury is not as bad as I thought it was on the night,” Giggs said.
“He won’t be available for Sunday (when United play Southampton), but he should be okay for the World Cup.”
Newcastle’s Cisse has knee surgery
Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse will be out for “a number of months” after having surgery on a fractured patella, the Premier League club said yesterday.
The Senegal international, 28, suffered the injury in their home defeat to Swansea City last month and travelled to Paris to have the knee operation earlier this week.
Like many of his Newcastle team-mates, Cisse has suffered a frustrating season in front of goal, scoring only four times in all competitions for the north east club, who play Liverpool in their final game of the campaign tomorrow.
Koscielny signs new long-term deal
Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny has signed a “new long-term contract” at the Emirates, the club said yesterday without specifying the length of the deal.
“Laurent has proven himself to be an outstanding player since joining us in 2010 and has shown his quality once again this season. I am delighted he has decided to commit his future to the club,” manager Arsene Wenger said.
French international Koscielny has made 163 appearances in all competitions for the Londoners since joining from Lorient, more than any other Arsenal player over the same period.
He has made 31 league appearances this season, helping Arsenal keep 15 clean sheets.
Blatter set to stand for fifth term
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has dropped another hint that he intends to stand for a fifth term as the head of football’s governing body in next year’s election.
“I want to do it because it’s not over yet,” he said during an event in Zurich, according to the Swiss newspaper Blick.
“My mandate is certainly coming to its end but my mission is not yet complete.”
The 78-year-old was elected unopposed for a fourth term in 2011 after his rival Mohamed Bin Hammam withdrew his candidacy after being accused of offering cash for votes. Bin Hammam was later banned for life.
Blatter initially said it would be his final term but since then has hinted at a change of mind.
Blanc rewarded with new Paris SG deal
Paris St Germain coach Laurent Blanc has been rewarded with a one-year contract extension after guiding the club to a second successive Ligue 1 title.
The former France coach succeeded Carlo Ancelotti at the Parc des Princes last summer and picked up where his predecessor left off by securing the title, along with the Coupe de la Ligue and Trophee des Champions.
The 48-year-old had a year to run on his initial two-year contract and is now linked to the club until 2016.
He said: “I am very happy to prolong my contract with Paris St Germain and to commit myself for the long term in the most ambitious project in Europe.
“We will dream even bigger together.”
Brighton boss Garcia rues ‘unfair’ defeat
Brighton boss Oscar Garcia branded his side’s 2-1 defeat by Derby in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final “unfair”.
The Seagulls led through Jesse Lingard’s early strike but Derby’s top scorer Chris Martin levelled from the penalty spot for his 24th goal of the season.
The striker then saw his long-range effort come back off the crossbar and bounce in off the back of luckless Brighton goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak in first-half stoppage time.
“It was totally unfair result,” said Garcia.
“We were better than them in all areas apart from the most important area, in front of goal.”