Ronaldo: Real Madrid striker Ronaldo was back in the Spanish capital yesterday after missing his side's league match against Numancia because of a flying visit to Brazil. The 28-year-old had rushed back to his home country on Friday because of a family illness but said that the problem was now resolved. "I have to thank the club for giving me permission to leave because it was a difficult time for me," Ronaldo said.

Beach Soccer: Beach soccer, the sport that taught generations of Brazilians how to play the beautiful game, is getting serious. FIFA announced yesterday it was launching the first World Beach Soccer Cup, involving 12 teams, under its own auspices in Brazil later this year. The five-a-side sport had been run mainly by the Spanish-based group Beach Soccer World Wide with FIFA's endorsement, but without its direct involvement. It held annual world championships from 1995 to 2004.

Strange Ref: A referee has sent himself off in an English amateur league match for eyeballing a player who disagreed with a decision. Andy Wain had to abandon the Sunday league match between Peterborough North End and a Royal Mail side in the 63rd minute after throwing down his whistle and marching up to confront North End's keeper. "It was totally unprofessional. If a player did that I would send him off, so I had to go," Wain, 39, was quoted as saying.

Montoya: Colombian soccer coach Luis Fernando Montoya, who was left quadriplegic after being shot in a robbery in December, regained consciousness after suffering a lung infection last week. Montoya, who turned little-known provincial club Once Caldas into last year's South American champions, is being treated in a Medellin hospital after the attack on December 22.

In England: League One - Chesterfield vs Hull 1-1; Stockport vs Bournemouth 2-2. League Two - Chester vs Cheltenham 0-3.

In France: Ligue 1 - Bastia vs Lyon 1-1.

In Scotland: League Cup SF - Motherwell vs Hearts 3-2 (aet). Today - Rangers vs Dundee Utd.