LFP probe: The French League (LFP) will look into incidents that disrupted Friday’s Ligue 2 game between GFCO Ajaccio and Monaco. French media reports said the referee had been set upon by Ajaccio fans during the game, which leaders Monaco won 1-0. “Intolerable things happened during the game. They endanger the protagonists’ safety and are bad for the image of French football,” the LFP said in a statement.
Cadu: CFR Cluj defender Cadu has been banned for nine matches for violent conduct after kicking a defender in the mouth during a league game last week. Vaslui defender Zhivko Milanov lost five teeth after being kicked by Cadu, Cluj’s captain, who mistimed a challenge for a loose ball during a goalless draw. Cadu, 31, joined the Romanian champions from Boavista in 2006.
Puncheon: Jason Puncheon has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract with Southampton until 2016. The 26-year-old winger has been one of Saints’ most impressive performers this season but only had a matter of months remaining on his current deal.
Piquionne: Striker Frederic Piquionne has joined Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers on a one-year contract. The 34-year-old had been on trial at the US club and impressed in pre-season. Piquionne, who made one international appearance for France and has more recently represented Martinique, played over 80 matches in the Premier League after joining Portsmouth in 2009 and then West Ham a year later.
Ranger: Troubled striker Nile Ranger has left Newcastle after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent. The 21-year-old was in late January released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape.
Schlupp: Manchester United gave another chance to Leicester youngster Jeffrey Schlupp in Friday’s Under-21 0-0 draw at West Ham. Schlupp has been on trial at United since January but manager Alex Ferguson has still to decide whether to push through a deal to buy the 20-year-old Ghana international. Although he completed the full 90 minutes at Upton Park, Schlupp was unable to steer United to victory.