Messi: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi’s yellow card for time-wasting after he was apparently hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd in Sunday’s La Liga game at Valencia has been rescinded by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF). Barca’s initial appeal was rejected by the RFEF’s competition committee and the club lodged a second challenge with a higher appeals committee which ruled in their favour yesterday. The RFEF said the committee had been unable to detect “deliberate time-wasting” on Messi’s part.
De Sanctis: Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis has extended his contract until 2016, the Serie A side said yesterday. De Sanctis, 37, has been capped six times by Italy since making his international debut in 2005, but has found his appearances restricted by the longevity of Gianluigi Buffon.
Belarus: Former Dynamo Kiev midfielder Alexander Khatskevich has been named as coach of Belarus in succession to Georgiy Kondratyev who quit in October. “The main task is to strive for more consistency,” the 41-year-old Khatskevich told a news conference on Thursday. “I can say that no matter who the opponents are we will not play with five defenders.”
Crimea: Crimean clubs are to be banned by UEFA from playing in Russian domestic competitions, European soccer’s governing body said. The ban will take effect on Jan. 1 following a decision by UEFA’s executive committee. “The Russian Football Union (RFU) may not organise any football competition in Crimea, without the consent of UEFA and the Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU),” UEFA said.
Diaz: Paraguay named Argentine Ramon Diaz, who won the Argentine league title with River Plate this year, as their coach yesterday. “Ramon Diaz and the Paraguayan FA have sealed a four-year work accord,” president Alejandro Dominguez said. “It’s one of the big-gest challenges of my career. There’s a lot of work to do,” said Diaz.
Coppa Italia: Fourth round – Cagliari vs Modena 4-4 (aet; Cagliari win 5-4 on pens.); Sampdoria vs Brescia 2-0.
Ligue 1: Lyon vs Reims 2-1.
King’s Cup: Last 32, first legs – Cadiz vs Villarreal 1-2; Oviedo vs R. Sociedad 0-0.
BOV Div. One
Today: (Centenary Stadium) 7.30pm St George’s vs Melita.