Cup Aces: FC Sion kept up their remarkable 100 per cent record in the Swiss Cup final when they hammered FC Basel 3-0 yesterday to deny their opponents a league and cup double. It was Sion’s 13th win in as many cup final appearances, a run which began in 1965, although their victory was marred by the behaviour of their fans who delayed the start of the second half for five minutes by setting off smoke bombs.
Complaint: Barcelona have complained to UEFA over delays and poor facilities provided by German authorities for fans flying back to Spain yesterday after the Champions League final. Barca supporters were left angry by their treatment at the Berlin Exhibition Centre, a normally unused terminal at Schoenefeld airport, which was assigned by UEFA for the arrival and departure of charter flights. Barcelona said “minimum services expected at an airport” were not provided and that disabled people were particularly affected.
Alvarez: FIFA could be called in to rule on Sunderland’s row with Inter over the future of Ricky Alvarez. Inter insist the Black Cats’ Premier League survival triggered a clause in the winger’s loan deal, securing a £7.5m move to Wearside. But Sunderland believe they have a get-out clause due to Alvarez’s lack of appearances be-cause of injury. The Argentinian, 27, is facing surgery for a knee problem which restricted him to only five league starts.
Perin: Mattia Perin, the 22-year-old Genoa goalkeeper, will be out of the game for the next four months after having surgery on his right shoulder. Genoa are hoping the operation and long recovery will resolve Perin’s recurring problem after playing with pain for most of the past season. Perin will also miss a few matches for the Italian national team during his time on the sidelines.
Giovinco: Sebastian Giovinco bagged a brace to lead Toronto FC to a 2-1 win over MLS Eastern Conference leaders DC United. DC United went into the game unbeaten in 20 games at the RFK Stadium and that trend looked set to continue when Steven Birnbaum gave them a sixth minute lead. However, former Italian international Giovinco netted in the 34th minute and seven minutes from time to reduce the gap between themselves and DC United to nine points.