Mexican international Antonio de Nigris has died of a suspected heart attack, his club Larissa confirmed yesterday.
The 31-year-old striker, who signed for Larissa in August, was rushed to hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning but was pronounced dead on arrival at Larissa's University Hospital.
"The Larissa family mourns from today the tragic loss of 31-year-old international Mexican footballer, Antonio De Nigris," a club statement said.
De Nigris, who represented Mexico 16 times including at the 2001 Copa America, joined Larissa from Turkish club Ankaragucu and made six appearances in the Greek Super League.
Van Persie out for up to six weeks
Dutch and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be out of action for up to six weeks after partially rupturing a right ankle ligament on Saturday.
Van Persie was carried off in the 15th minute of a friendly between the Netherlands and Italy after a tackle by Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
"The prognosis is that I will be out for four to six weeks," van Persie told the Dutch TV station NOS.
Van Persie, 26, has scored eight goals in his last 11 matches for the north London club who are second to Chelsea in the Premier League.
Japan pick 'lucky town'
Japan's national football team has picked a happy hunting ground as its base camp for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.
They will be lodged at a plush golf resort in George where Japan's Ai Miyazato and Rui Kitada won the inaugural women's World Cup of Golf in 2005.
"George is a lucky town for Japan," Japan FA president Motoaki Inukai told Japanese media.
"We will need luck as the football World Cup will be a tough campaign," he added. "It is beautiful with greenery and our players can focus on their battles."
Demichelis fears worst for Bayern
Martin Demichelis fears Bayern Munich are running out of time to salvage their season, even though he knew it was going to be a tough year.
The defender fears things can only get worse for the record German champions, who currently lie eighth in the table, if they do not beat league leaders Bayer Leverkusen next weekend and ascend the table quickly.
Bayern's fate in the Champions League could be sealed three days later when they face Maccabi Haifa needing a win while hoping at the same time that Juventus fail to beat Bordeaux.
"I hope it is not too late to turn our season around," Demichelis told the Bild newspaper.
"Otherwise it is going to get chaotic and even worse."
I want to stay with Milan - Huntelaar
Klaas Jan Huntelaar has no intention of leaving Milan in the January transfer window.
The Dutch striker has failed to make an impact since joining the Rossoneri in a €15million summer transfer from Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old has failed to score in seven league appearances and was left out of the starting XI in recent games.
"I want to remain at Milan," said Huntelaar said. "There is time to recover and I am certain that I will get my playing time."
Huntelaar is under contract until June 2013.
Top clubs keen to sign Neymar
Juventus are interested in signing Santos striker Neymar, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.
Renzo Castagnini, Juventus's chief scout, has made several trips to South America over the last year to find new talent but Neymar's quality is already known to some of Europe's biggest clubs.
Chelsea and Barcelona have been monitoring his progress and Santos expect a bidding war to commence either in January or next summer.
Reports also claim that Santos have given Neymar a new contract until 2014, which includes a £30m buy-out clause.
Neymar has been compared with Manchester City stalwart Robinho, who started his career with Santos in 2002.
Nedved set for Juve role - reports
Pavel Nedved is set to return to Juventus as a director, Tuttosport newspaper has reported.
The Czech retired from football in the summer after a long career in the Bianconeri jersey and rejected the chance to join Ciro Ferrara's coaching staff.
Reports suggest that Nedved has changed his mind to a degree and, after a year-long break, he will come back to Turin as a director.
Tuttosport claimed this is just the beginning of his new career, as he could then move out from behind the desk to start coaching.
Only recently Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc said that "the doors are wide open for Nedved."