Milan's on-loan midfielder David Beckham will return to Los Angeles Galaxy after the World Cup, the head of Major League Soccer (MLS) said.
Don Garber said Beckham's move to the US had been a success and dismissed media speculation the England player would decide against returning when the finals in South Africa were over.
Garber said: "David will be back after the World Cup, no doubt about that. He has been a success. There are always going to be people, particularly in England, that look at everything and don't see the positives.
"Our league is on the map globally, he's one of the most popular people on the planet and he plays in MLS for Los Angeles Galaxy."
Serie A duo banned for blasphemy
Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo and Parma forward Davide Lanzafame have become the first professionals to be suspended as a result of Italian football's blasphemy crackdown.
Di Carlo was banned from the dugout for Sunday's match at Bari after the Italian Soccer League said that he uttered a "blasphemous expression" during the 2-1 home win over Cagliari last weekend.
Lanzafame was also banned for Sunday's trip to Siena after committing the same offence in Parma's 1-0 win over Sampdoria.
Italian referees were told last week to give red cards to players they hear blaspheming.
Venues ill-prepared for heart attacks
Many European stadiums are poorly equipped to handle spectator heart attacks, according to a study.
Nearly 30 per cent of 187 major arenas in ten countries surveyed did not have external defibrillators, which deliver therapeutic electric shocks when a person's heartbeat has become wildly erratic or has stopped altogether.
There were 77 "sudden cardiac arrests" during a single season in the stadiums reviewed, which between them host 190 elite football teams, said the study.
Many crowded public venues - especially those where stress levels can soar, as during a highly-charged match - such as airports and casinos are equipped with defibrillators.
Johnson arrested for hitting fan
Manchester City's Michael Johnson is under investigation after allegedly headbutting a fan of rivals United in a nightclub, police said yesterday.
The fracas erupted after the alleged victim was singing Manchester United songs with friends in the club, 42nd Street, in the city centre.
Johnson, 22, was arrested later and interviewed by police. He is currently on bail.
The alleged victim, 22, is understood to have flagged down a passing police patrol in the early hours of December 6, last year.
Totti voted best Italian player
Roma captain Francesco Totti was voted as the best Italian player in a poll conducted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 33-year-old forward, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, finished ahead of his Roma team-mate Daniele De Rossi and Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo.
"It made me very happy to read the poll results, because it was based on the opinions of 100 people who represent different worlds: sport, culture, entertainment and I am really happy that they voted for me," Totti said.
"To receive this type of gratification will be an extra motive to get back to playing quickly and above all to ensure that those people who voted for me don't lose faith in me."
Aurelio out for three weeks
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes defender Fabio Aurelio could be sidelined for three weeks with a thigh problem.
The Brazilian was forced off midway through the first half of Sunday's victory over Blackburn after straining quadriceps in his right leg.
"It's not good news and we think he is going to be out for maybe another two or three weeks," said Benitez.
"It all began at the start of the season, when he suffered the injury during the summer with his family, and it's like there has been something every month since then.
"It is a shame because he is a top footballer but him being out leaves us with a problem because we wanted to play him, so we could give Insua a rest."
Iaquinta back in training
Juventus received a massive boost yesterday when Vincenzo Iaquinta reported back for training after more than four months out.
The 31-year-old had a knee operation in October but complications in rehabilitation delayed his return to action.
Juventus coach Alberto Zaccheroni will be pleased with the return of Iaquinta as he is currently short in options upfront.
Brazilian striker Amauri is sidelined for four weeks after picking up a knock during last week's 0-0 draw against Ajax in the Europa League.
Juventus are currently fifth in the Serie A standings and face Fulham in the last 16 of the Europa League.