PAINTBALL: Dynamo Moscow midfielder Alan Gatagov has hit out at club fans who shot at players with paintball guns during a training session in protest at the side’s worst ever start to the season. “I just can’t find the right words,” Gatagov said. “What are we supposed to do now? Should each of us hire a personal bodyguard. I was hit in the back of the head when they shot at us.”

MIURA: Kazuyoshi Miura, the 1993 Asian Footballer of the Year and the oldest J-League player at 45, will make his debut in the World Cup – in the five-a-side version of futsal. The Yokohama FC striker was named yesterday to the country’s 14-strong squad for the futsal World Cup in Thailand next month, the Japan FA said.

FANS KILLED: A head-on collision between a minibus and an oil tanker killed nine Afghan football fans and injured 28 others overnight as they headed for Kabul and the final of the country’s first premier league, police said yesterday. The fans were on their way from northern Jawzjan province to Kabul – a distance of more than 300 kilometres.

POMPEY: Portsmouth’s admini-strators have nominated Ports-mouth Supporters Trust as their preferred bidder to take over the League One club. Administrators PKF have been seeking a new buyer for the club since it was placed under its control in February.

RACISM: A man has been arrested after a racist comment was posted on Facebook about an English Premier League footballer. The 43-year-old was held overnight on suspicion of racial harassment and has been bailed until November 28. It is believed the remark was made about Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi.

MADIGAGE: Thomas Madigage, assistant coach to South Africa’s national team, died in a car crash late Thursday. “It was an accident. He was alone,” police said. “There was a stray donkey that was crossing the road.” Madigage, 40, was declared dead on the scene.

IN ENGLAND: Championship – Sheffield Wed. vs Leeds 1-1.

SCOTTISH PREMIER: Dundee vs  Inverness 1-4.