Coach goes: Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul has resigned after their surprise World Cup elimination following a 2-0 home defeat by Cape Verde Islands. The result allowed the tiny nation to leapfrog Tunisia and win the group. Tunisia only needed a draw to be among 10 group winners to compete in a final round of play-off matches which would determine Africa’s five places at the 2014 World Cup.

Euro 2020: The Belgian football association will propose Brussels as a venue for the 2020 Euro championship which is set to be played in cities across the continent. The Belgian FA said yesterday that it would propose Brussels after a deal over a new stadium was reached between the Flemish, Brussels and federal governments.

Top friendly: Football giants Italy and Germany could get engaged in a lucrative friendly in autumn if the latter, as expected, qualify for the World Cup without the need of a play-off. Reports said the Azzurri, already through to next year’s finals, would play hosts to Germany on November 15 with Milan and Florence the likely venues for the match.

Hunt: Crystal Palace’s recent signing Jack Hunt, yet to kick a ball for his new club, has been ruled out for the rest of the year after breaking his ankle in training. Palace paid a reported £2m for Hunt on transfer deadline day, but the 22-year-old right-back faces up to four months on the sidelines after sustaining the injury only seven days after joining the London club.

Zimling: Mainz have confirmed they expect to be without midfielder Niki Zimling for three weeks after he picked up a hamstring injury while on duty with Denmark. The 28-year-old suffered the problem in his right leg shortly before half-time in the 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over Armenia on Tuesday. Mainz are currently fifth in the Bundesliga after the opening four league games of the season.