Hulk: Zenit SP forward Hulk was subjected to alleged monkey chants by Torpedo Moscow fans yesterday, prompting coach Andre Villas-Boas to describe the incident as an embarrassment for football. The 28-year-old Brazilian scored a goal from a free-kick in the 1-1 draw, but was then allegedly abused by sections of the home crowd. The forward cupped his hand behind his ear in a gesture aimed towards the Torpedo fans and then blew kisses in their direction.
Betancort: A minute’s silence was held before Real Madrid’s La Liga game at home to Levante yesterday and the players wore black armbands following the death of former Real goalkeeper Antonio Betancort at the age of 78. After joining from Las Palmas, Betancort kept goal for Real in 177 official games between 1961 and 1971 and twice won the ‘Zamora’ trophy for La Liga’s most effective goalkeeper, the European champions said. He won the European Cup in 1966 as well as six Spanish league titles and two Spanish Cups.
Gerrard: Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has ruled out playing for another English team after leaving the Reds at the end of the season. However, with the MLS off-season providing a window for players to come to Europe on loan, reports yesterday claimed Gerrard could be back in the UK. In fact, Celtic are confident of landing Gerrard on a temporary deal in early 2016, a move that would last around three months between January and March.
Vives out: Giuseppe Vives is expected to be out of the game for at least two weeks after he sustained a thigh injury. The Torino midfielder was a substitute in Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League defeat to Zenit SP but limped off soon after coming in. Tests have now shown a strain to the adductor muscle in his left thigh. Vives will miss today’s match against Lazio and Torino’s next fixtures against Zenit SP, Parma and Atalanta.
Toronto lose: Big-spending Toronto FC lost 2-0 to Columbus Crew in MLS after being forced to play the second half with 10 men. The Canadian side had defender Justin Morrow sent off a minute before half-time. Toronto, who have yet to make the play-offs since joining the league in 2007, invested heavily in the off-season, bringing in Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus and Jozy Altidore from Sunderland. They also brought in midfielder Michael Bradley from Roma midway through last season.