ZUBIZARETTA: Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has agreed a two-year contract extension to remain in the role until 2016. The 52-year-old former Barca goalkeeper took up his present position in July 2010, replacing Txiki Begiristain, and will put pen to paper on his fresh deal in the next few days. Zubizarreta has overseen two managerial changes so far in his reign at the Nou Camp, with Tito Vilanova replacing Pep Guardiola in summer 2012 and Gerardo Martinez arriving at the start of this season.

IN FRANCE: Holders St Etienne have been drawn away to Paris St Germain in the headline clash of the last 16 of the Coupe de la Ligue. St Etienne defeated the Ligue 1 champions on their way to lifting the silverware last season and will have to pull off the same feat if they are to successfully defend their crown. The clash is one of six all-Ligue 1 encounters, while Ligue 2 representation in the quarter-finals is assured after Troyes were drawn against Tours. The last-16 ties will be played on 17-18 December.

COSTA: Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has called Atletico Madrid’s Brazil-born forward Diego Costa into his squad for the first time for this month’s friendlies away to Equatorial Guinea and South Africa. Top scorer in La Liga this season with 13 goals in 12 appearances, Costa signed a formal letter last month stating his wish to play for adopted country Spain and ending a tug-of-war between the world and European champions and Brazil over the 25-year-old.

CARIBBEAN: A professional Caribbean soccer league, dubbed Major League Football, is expected to launch in Sept. 2015 with the aim of developing young players and growing the game in the region. The Caribbean Football Trust Limited (CFTL) said in a statement the league would feature 20 teams competing for $3 million in prize money, with that figure set to rise to $5 million after the first three years.

DIEGO: VfL Wolfsburg, on a three-game winning streak, will be missing Brazilian playmaker Diego when they take on second-placed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga tomorrow. Coach Dieter Hecking said the midfielder, who picked up a rib injury in last week’s 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt and had to be taken off, was not yet fit.

BOV Division One

Playing today

(Tedesco Stadium)

Lija Athletic vs Gżira United 18.00

Ħamrun S. vs Birżebbuġa 20.15

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