Berkovic: Outspoken midfielder Eyal Berkovic says he is ready to take over as Israel coach and that incumbent Avraham Grant should quit. In an interview with Israel's Channel 2 on Saturday, the 35-year-old Berkovic said a younger coach was needed after all the older men had failed to take Israel to the World Cup finals since 1970. "I am prepared to retire (from playing) today and coach the national team," he said. "Maybe it's time to bring in new blood, people who understand today's players, their psyche." Berkovic, who won 82 caps, is back playing in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv after spending nine years in Britain with Southampton, West Ham United, Celtic, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
Video-assisted refereeing: The French soccer league (LFP) will test video-assisted refereeing next month, the LFP president Frederic Thiriez said yesterday. "We are going to make some tests during games played behind closed doors," Thiriez told weekly Le Journal du Dimanche. Thiriez said he would then brief world governing body FIFA in February. "FIFA already told us twice we were not allowed to test this type of refereeing in an official game like the (season-opening) Trophy of Champions," he said. "But with a good file, with the results of the tests, I hope we will be able to do so soon."
Ballack: Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said he could not fathom why playmaker Michael Ballack would want to move to Manchester United or Real Madrid when he could stay in Munich. "I just can't imagine that he would go to Man. United," Rummenigge said, referring to rumours about Ballack's future. "What would speak for Manchester and against Bayern? Nothing at all, if you take a look at the table in England," Rummenigge said. Bayern have reportedly offered Ballack, 29, a four-year contract.
Asian Champions League: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yesterday took the unusual step of moving the second leg of this month's Asian Champions League final from Saudi Arabia to neutral Jordan. AFC officials said the October 31 game between Saudi holders Al Ittihad and UAE side Al Ain would go ahead in Amman instead of Jeddah because of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Saudi officials had requested the second leg be postponed out of respect for Ramadan, AFC officials said. The first leg will take place as scheduled in Al Ain on October 26.
Barcelona Injuries: Barcelona duo Juliano Belletti and Deco face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being injured in the 3-0 home win over Osasuna in the Primera Liga on Saturday. Brazilian defender Belletti sustained a partial muscle tear behind his right knee which will keep him out of action for up to six weeks, the club said. Portugal midfielder Deco, who played on Saturday despite breaking a finger at Panathinaikos in the Champions League on Tuesday, has a groin strain and will be out for three weeks.