Ramos: Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was handed a five-match ban by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) yesterday, after being sent off and insulting the referee in their King’s Cup victory over Celta Vigo. Spain defender Ramos picked up a second yellow card when he brought down Augusto Fernandez in the 73rd minute in Wednesday’s 4-0 last-16 second leg victory at the Bernabeu. The 26-year-old directed insults at the referee and his assistant when leaving the pitch.
Anelka: Paris SG coach Carlo Ancelotti has welcomed former player Nicolas Anelka into the club’s training camp as a friend, but has no plans to sign him, the Italian said yesterday. “We did not think about (signing him). I do not think there’s an opportunity,” Ancelotti told a news conference ahead of today’s Ligue 1 home game against Ajaccio. “He only asked to train. He played under me and we are friends now. I allowed him to train because of our friendship.”
Stuttgart: Stuttgart extended deals with 21-year-old Japan international Gotoku Sakai and German Benedikt Roecker to 2016 and 2015 respectively on Thursday, days after agreeing new contracts with their fellow defender Georg Niedermeier and two other players. The two new deals follow contract extensions for Niedermeier as well as midfielders Tamas Hajnal and Christian Gentner this week.
Diarra: Fulham’s Mahamadou Diarra will not play for Mali at the upcoming African Nations Cup due to injury. The 31-year-old has been struggling with a knee complaint recently and has not featured for the Cottagers since their 3-0 home loss to Tottenham on December 1. Fulham manager Martin Jol has made his frustration clear over the fact the Eagles still intended to call up Diarra for the African Nations Cup, which kicks off on January 19.
Tonge: Leeds have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Michael Tonge from Stoke for an undisclosed fee. The 29-year-old, who spent three months on loan at Elland Road at the end of last year, has signed a two-and-a-half year contract. Tonge made 22 appearances for Leeds between September and December and scored five goals, including stunning strikes at both Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Kazan: Rubin Kazan will host holders Atletico Madrid in next month’s Europa League last 32 tie at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium because of the extreme cold conditions in the Volga region during that time. “It’s true, Rubin will use our stadium for the match against the Spanish team on Feb. 21,” Luzhniki spokesperson Angela Biryukova said. The first leg will be played in Madrid on Feb. 14 while the return match in Moscow is scheduled for the following week.
Morimoto: Catania striker Takayuki Morimoto has joined Al Nasr on loan for the rest of the season. The Japanese played for five years at Catania under Walter Zenga – the current head coach of Al Nasr - before signing for Novara in July 2011. The 24-year-old, who returned to the Stadio Angelo Massimino following Novara’s relegation to Serie B, has struggled to make an impression under current coach Rolando Maran.
KING’S CUP: Last 16, second legs – Getafe vs Atletico Madrid 0-0 (aggregate: 0-3).