Valencia: Valencia have been fined and Barcelona’s players were branded “blameworthy” after a bottle was launched from the stands in Saturday’s La Liga clash. Barca won 3-2 at the Mestalla but the game was overshadowed by an incident which saw several objects thrown on to the pitch after Lionel Messi’s late winner from the penalty spot. A bottle appeared to hit Barcelona forward Neymar, who fell, with Luis Suarez also dropping to the ground after joining a group of team-mates to celebrate the goal.

Mathieu: Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu will be sidelined for around three weeks after suffering from a calf injury during the 1-0 defeat against Espanyol in the Catalan Super Cup on Tuesday. The 32-year-old joins fellow defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba on the sidelines.

Grassroots Boost: The English FA is helping to invest £200m in a scheme in the latest step to boost the grassroots game. The FA is spearheading the Parklife Project which will look to build 30 all-purpose football facilities in towns and cities by 2020. Along with the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Premier League and local partners, the FA is set to help provide the sum in the project over the next five years.

Astana Champs: Astana were crowned champions of Kazakhstan for a third successive season yesterday. The capital-based team drew 0-0 with Okzhetpes to secure an unassailable lead ahead of second-placed Kairat Almaty. Astana, coached by Bulgarian Stanimir Stoilov, wrapped up the title with one game to spare.

Medel: The three-match ban handed to Gary Medel for lashing out at Atalanta’s Jasmin Kurtic on Sunday will stand, the Italian league said. Inter had filed an appeal against the suspension but it was rejected by the Italian league. Chile’s Medel missed last night’s match against Torino. Now he will also have to skip the side’s next matches against Sampdoria and Crotone.