Fewer than 1,000 Celtic fans will see new manager Brendan Rodgers’s first competitive game against Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar next week.
The part-timers set up their second qualifying round tie against the Hoops with a 2-0 win over Estonian side Flora Tallin, to go through 3-2 on aggregate.
Victoria Stadium, which has a capacity of only 2,000, will also host the Scottish champions in the first leg next Tuesday with the return game in Glasgow the following week.
Lincoln chairman Derek Alman is looking to set aside 960 tickets for Celtic supporters.
He said that moving the fixture at such short notice to a bigger stadium would have been a “logistical nightmare”.
Ledley misses party to get married
Joe Ledley missed Wales’s homecoming party yesterday as he headed off to Ibiza to get married.
Ledley had been due to get married in Ibiza today and he confirmed after Wales’s 2-0 semi-final defeat to Portugal that he was still heading to the Mediterranean island to tie the knot with partner Ruby May.
“The boys are back in Wales to see the fans but I’ve got a wedding to attend,” said Ledley.
“I don’t feel I need to go back and see what we’ve achieved means to the supporters.
“I’ve got a wedding to think about. It’s Ibiza for me now.”
Mazzarri’s backroom staff announced
Watford have confirmed the appointment of Nicolo Frusta-lupi, Claudio Nitti and Luca Vigiani as manager Walter Mazzarri’s assistant coaches.
Following the departure of Mazzarri’s predecessor Quique Sanchez Flores, it has also been confirmed that Dean Austin, Alberto Giraldez and Antonio Diaz Carlavilla – who each worked under the Spaniard – have also left.
Frustalupi has worked with Mazzarri for almost 15 years at Inter, Napoli, Sampdoria, Reggina, Livorno and Pistoiese.
Nainggolan to stay at Roma
Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has announced he will stay at the Italian club, despite reports linking the Belgian with a potential move to Chelsea.
The 28-year-old, who joined Roma from Cagliari, played 42 times for the club last season and British media reported that Roma’s sporting director flew to London to discuss a potential deal for the midfielder.
Nainggolan, who signed a five-year contract extension with Roma last year, said he would stay put at the Stadio Olimpico.
“I met with Sabatini (Roma sporting director) and everything went well,” Nainggolan said.
“I am staying at Roma.”
Prosecutor appeals Conte’s acquittal
An Italian prosecutor has appealed against future Chelsea coach Antonio Conte’s acquittal earlier this year in a 2011 match-fixing scandal.
Conte (picture), who is heading to England after bidding goodbye to Italy’s national team, was cleared in May of sporting fraud by a judge who said the charge was groundless.
Prosecutors said he had been aware of, but had not intervened to prevent, the alleged fixing of a game between Siena and relegation-threatened AlbinoLeffe, which Conte’s Siena side lost 1-0.
The challenge from a prosecutor means there will be an appeals trial. Italy’s three-tier legal system means cases often end when all possible appeals are exhausted.
Pogba ‘perfect’ for Man. United – Ince
Paul Pogba could spearhead Manchester United’s Premier League title challenge if the playmaker can be lured back to Old Trafford, the club’s former midfielder Paul Ince has said.
Pogba, who left United in 2012 under Alex Ferguson, has been at the centre of a £100 million bid from the FA Cup winners, according to the media.
Pogba was in sparkling form last season as he helped Juventus win a domestic double, and Ince said that the 23-year-old could light up Old Trafford.
“I think his style of football will suit our league,” Ince said.
“So Pogba now coming into a league where he can show what he’s all about, I think is a perfect fit for him and for United.”
Feyenoord sign goalkeeper Jones
Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle with Brad Jones to sign the former Liverpool goalkeeper on a one-year contract pending a medical.
The 34-year-old Australian was a free agent following a six-month spell with fellow Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, where he made 17 appearances after joining in January as the club finished 10th in the league standings last season.
Jones spent five years with Liverpool, managing 27 appearances before being released in 2015. His stay at Anfield included a loan spell to Derby County.
The Australian also enjoyed a stint with Bradford City prior to his move to the Netherlands.