Empoli have re-appointed Luigi Cagni as coach after sacking Alberto Malesani, Serie A's bottom club said yesterday. Fellow strugglers Catania also announced the departure of coach Silvio Baldini.
Baldini had been in charge since the start of the season and the media said he was expected to be replaced by former Italy keeper Walter Zenga.
Catania are hovering over the drop zone after a 2-1 home defeat by Torino on Sunday. Empoli are one point adrift at the bottom with seven games left of the season following Sunday's 2-0 home loss to Sampdoria.
Police investigate racist banner
French police have launched an investigation after PSG supporters unfolded a racist banner during Saturday's French League Cup final against Lens. Prosecutors have asked police to try to identify those involved, who could face jail sentences of up to a year.
The banner referred to a film about the life of the Ch'tis, a nickname for the people of northern France, which is breaking box office records in France. It read: "Paedophiles, unemployed, inbred: welcome chez les Ch'tis." The banner was unfolded briefly at the start of the second half.
Special permission for Chelsea pair
Malaysia may give special permission to Chelsea's two Israelis to land in the country despite a travel ban on citizens of the Jewish state, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said.
Chelsea, whose coach Avram Grant and midfielder Tal Ben Haim are Israelis, are set to play in Malayisa in July as part of their summer tour.
"I'm not sure what the decision should be yet but it would be a pity if politics got in the way of sports," Najib was quoted as saying.
Rio eyeing prolonged United stay
Rio Ferdinand wants to see out his playing career at Old Trafford.
The international central defender said: "I have two more years on my contract, I'd like to finish my career at United.
"The club have made an approach to my agent but there's so many games it's difficult to get around the table.
"However, by the end of the season, if not sooner, it should be done and dusted."
Rome could lose 2009 final
Rome's Stadio Olimpico could lose the right to host the 2009 Champions League final if there were further violent incidents at today's quarter-final between Roma and Manchester United, UEFA said yesterday.
Stabbings by roving gangs armed with flick-knives happen often around the stadium, with violence flaring during United's last two visits to Rome.
"If at Roma-Man. United, incidents are proved to have happened outside the stadium, we would have to reconsider the decision to assign the 2009 Champions League final to Rome," spokesman William Gaillard said.
'Fan's death not due to violence'
The death of a Parma fan on Sunday was not the result of violence between rival supporters, the club's president said yesterday. Matteo Bagnaresi was accidentally knocked down and killed by a bus.
Police said Parma and Juve fans were trading insults at a service station on the way to Turin where the accident happened. Coach driver Siro Spolti, who was transporting Juve fans, did not see Bagnaresi when he set off again to avoid trouble.
Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi said: "There are no fragments of bottles. I know the Parma lads well... it is not because of fights."
Benitez remains cautious
Rafa Benitez remained cautious about Liverpool's Champions League qualification hopes despite tightening their grip on fourth place with a 1-0 derby win over nearest rivals Everton on Sunday.
"It's a good position to be in," the Liverpool boss said. "But we have a difficult game at Arsenal and Everton will play Derby next week."
Benitez praised Fernando Torres who equalled a club record for consecutive home goals to join Fred Pagnam (1919), Roger Hunt (1964), Ian Rush (1983) and Michael Owen (1999) as the only players to score in six successive games at Anfield.
"We had a lot of confidence in Fernando," he said.
"But to score 28 goals and 21 in the league is not easy for anyone."
United best in the world - Spalletti
Manchester United are the best team in the world on paper but Roma can beat them even without injured striker Francesco Totti, the Italian club's coach Luciano Spalletti said.
"Manchester United on paper are the strongest team in the world, they have great players in attack and defence," Spalletti said.
"But Roma have grown up and have matured since the 7-1 defeat of last year... we are in the right condition to get a result and go through."
No charges against Celtic
UEFA have dropped their investigation into alleged sectarian chanting by Celtic supporters in Barcelona after looking at video footage from Celtic's Champions League visit to the Nou Camp.
A UEFA spokesman said: "We've had a look into that, but no disciplinary case will be opened. There was not enough evidence."
Celtic were not contacted by UEFA and said last week they would be surprised to be the subject of a probe.