De Rossi: Roma were given a double boost following their 4-0 thumping of Inter yesterday as midfielder Daniele de Rossi signed a five-year contract extension. The 28-year-old local boy has spent his whole career at the club but was known to be wanted by Roberto Mancini at Manchester City. However, the popular vice-captain has now pledged his future to the Italians.
Rodallega: Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega said he is already in talks with other clubs as the Colombian prepares to leave the struggling Premier League team at the end of the season. “It’s sure that I won’t play anymore for Wigan after this season,” Rodallega said. “This will be my last three months with them. I’m already talking with other teams, but I won’t name them... I must respect Wigan.”
Banned: Malaysia’s governing body has suspended 18 youth footballers and banned a coach for life for fixing matches, the latest development in a widening scandal. The players from three clubs were suspended for between two and five years by the FA of Malaysia for fixing matches in the national U-20 President’s Cup last year.
Sam’s luck: Sidney Sam’s comeback for Bayer Leverkusen lasted just a matter of minutes before he suffered a suspected muscle tear against Stuttgart on Saturday. Sam made his first appearance since picking up the same injury during Leverkusen’s training camp in Portugal last month as a substitute in the 2-2 draw. Coach Robin Dutt is fearing the worst. “It does not look like it will be a short-term thing,” he told reporters.
Snowed off: A third Ligue 1 match was yesterday postponed because of the big chill in France with the tie between Sochaux and Lille called off because of a frozen pitch. Earlier the Caen versus Auxerre clash in Normandy was also postponed as snow swept across France after Saturday’s game between Saint-Etienne and Lorient had to be scrapped after ten minutes of play because of the condition of the pitch.
Africa Cup: Mali beat Gabon 5-4 on penalties yesterday after a finely balanced quarter-final ended 1-1 following extra time. Seydou Keita converted the decisive spot-kick after the co-hosts’ top striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang watched in disbelief as Mali keeper Soumaila Diakite saved his effort. The Eagles’ reward is a semi-final date with Ivory Coast back at Libreville’s L’Amitie stadium on Wednesday.