Atletico Madrid have advised their fans not to travel for their final Champions League Group D match away to Olympique Marseille on Dec. 9.

The game between the sides at the Calderon last month was marred by confrontations between visiting fans and local police.

One Marseille fan is still detained in Spain.

"As a precaution, I advise our fans not to go, to avoid any type of problem or incident," Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told the club's website.

Anorthosis chief in custody

Andreas Panteli, president of Champions League side Anorthosis Famagusta, is being held in custody over alleged financial irregularities at the Cypriot club.

Police said he was arrested late on Friday night after a complaint by members of the board over the alleged theft of 418,498 euros and a separate attempt to extract 500,000 euros from the club.

The 48-year-old Panteli denies the allegations.

Cyprus police chief Iacovos Papacostas said the whole issue has shocked the public.

"The CID will approach this case cautiously and no one will be victimised but there will be no cover up," added Papacostas.

Coca-Cola still committed to sport

Coca-Cola is committed to sponsoring major football events such as the World Cup and European Championship despite financial pressures created by the credit crunch, its European chief said.

Dominique Reiniche told Reuters that the drinks giant may trim sponsorships but would continue to invest in sports, notably football, at the top end and grassroots level.

"We don't see ourselves as sponsors but as partners. Olympics, World Cup, UEFA European Championships will continue," she said. "We will revise some budgets, of course, when the income is lower you have to adjust your expenditure accordingly."

Reiniche said Coca-Cola will also continue its investment at the local level in sport in a bid to reduce the problem of obesity.

UEFA dismisses Rome fears

UEFA has dismissed fears Rome's Stadio Olimpico risked losing May's Champions League final after Roma were charged over crowd trouble during the 3-1 home win over Chelsea earlier this month.

"The Champions League final will be played in Rome as planned, without any shadow of doubt," UEFA communications director William Gaillard told the ANSA news agency.

"The disciplinary procedure against Roma for the Chelsea match has nothing to do with the final."

On Friday, Roma were charged over the setting off of fireworks and fans' obstruction at exits during the match against Chelsea. One Italian was arrested and four people were injured in minor incidents before that game.

Buffon: No bid from Man. City

Gianluigi Buffon, 30, has been mooted as a leading January target for Manchester City but the Juventus and Italy goalkeeper is unaware of any move in the transfer market.

There were reports saying Man. City recently tabled a 75-million-euro bid to try to tempt Buffon to the English Premiership. However, Juventus denied receiving an offer and also insisted that their goalkeeper is not for sale.

Buffon said: "I am a concrete guy, there are all these rumours around, but I know nothing. No-one has told me anything. I have returned to training and all is going well. It was hard at first but slowly it's getting better.

"However, I will not be back until the New Year."

Hearts have wages problems

Scottish Premier League club Hearts have not paid their players for the second time this season.

The players expected wages to be deposited in their accounts on Friday. Instead, they were told they will have to wait until tomorrow to be paid, with club bosses reportedly not offering a reason for the delay.

Players and staff found themselves in a similar position in September when they had to wait almost a week for their wages, with Hearts blaming a "technical hitch".

On that occasion Hearts players expressed no concern publicly over the issue.

A SPL spokesman said: "If there's a dispute between any of our clubs and their players, they would have to get in touch with us and from there we would have to investigate it."

Benitez patient with Dossena

Rafael Benitez is backing defender Andrea Dossena to show his best once the Italian international adapts to the physicality of the Premier League.

Dossena has made 13 appearances for Liverpool this season since signing from Udinese in the summer. The left-back has competed with Fabio Aurelio for a place in the team and has sometimes struggled for form.The Liverpool manager, however, is satisfied with the 27-year-old's development at Anfield and feels he will eventually prove a success for the club.

"The main thing for me is that he is working very, very hard," Benitez said.

"Against Marseille he was going forward well and, okay, he made some mistakes in defence, but he also blocked some shots."

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