Sacked: Panathinaikos have parted company with coach Giannis Anastasiou by mutual consent. The 42-year-old had been in charge since the start of the 2013/14 season but had come under pressure after elimination from both the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers this term.

Batshuayi: Marseille forward Michy Batshuayi has played down an altercation with team-mate Abdelaziz Barrada after his team’s 1-0 win over Nantes on Sunday. French newspaper 20 Minutes claimed Batshuayi and Barrada exchanged blows at the Stade de la Beaujoire after the Ligue 1 encounter. When asked about the incident, Batshuayi said: “There was a misunderstanding regarding the last play of the game. Otherwise, nothing serious.”

Fischer: Denmark have recalled Ajax forward Viktor Fischer to the squad for this month’s Euro 2016 play-off against rivals Sweden as coach Morten Olsen seeks to end their goal drought. Despite creating plenty of chances, the Danes failed to score in their final three Group I games, finishing in third place in behind Portugal and Albania, and now face a two-legged play-off against their Scandinavian neighbours.

Rafinha: Barcelona said that Brazil international Rafinha has agreed to sign a four-year contract extension at the club. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder’s new deal will keep him at the Nou Camp until June 30, 2020.

Dempsey: A late 25-yard free-kick goal by Seattle striker Clint Dempsey stunned top-seeded FC Dallas as the Sounders clinched a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Major League Soccer Western Conference semi-final series. Dempsey’s winner on the stroke of 86 minutes capped a day of play-off action that saw New York Red Bulls top DC United 1-0, Montreal Impact edge Columbus Crew 2-1 and Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps play a 0-0 draw.

Bitton: Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton has agreed a new long-term contract. The Israeli international has penned a new five-year deal which will tie him to Parkhead until the summer of 2020.

Serie B: Cagliari vs Vicenza 2-0.