Albornoz: Hanover have signed Chile international Miiko Albornoz from Swedish club Malmo for an undisclosed fee. The full-back, who is currently representing his country at the World Cup, signed a three-year contract after a meeting with Hanover’s director of sport, Dirk Dufner, in Brazil.

Toure: The Ivorian Football Federation has announced the death of Ibrahim Toure, the brother of Kolo and Yaya Toure. In a statement on its official website, the IFF said that 28-year-old Ibrahim, himself a player with Lebanon-based Al Safa, passed away hours after the Ivory Coast’s 2-1 World Cup loss to Colombia on Thursday. No reason was given for the death, other than that it occurred in Manchester, where Yaya Toure plays his club football with City.

Violence: A street demonstration in Brazil’s biggest city ended in violence on Thursday night as anti-government protesters vandalised cars and banks and police responded with tear gas. The protest turned violent just as a World Cup game between England and Uruguay was ending roughly 25 km away on the other side of Sao Paulo. There were no reports of injured protesters or of foreign soccer fans getting caught up in the violence.

Panucci: Former Italy defender Christian Panucci is being linked with the coaching job at Serie B side Livorno who will be attempting to return to the top flight after being relegated last season. Panucci, 41, is currently assisting Fabio Capello, the Russia coach, at the World Cup. David Nicola was coach of Livorno last season but his services will not be retained.

Ibrahimovic: Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is at the World Cup as a spectator despite saying the tournament would not be worth watching without him playing in it. Ibrahimovic was in the stands for England’s match against Uruguay this week. Back in November, when Sweden failed to qualify for the finals, Ibrahimovic said: “One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch.”