Adidas: German sporting goods company Adidas hopes to capitalise on enthusiasm for the 2006 World Cup by selling 10 million official balls, the firm's chief executive was quoted as saying yesterday. He gave little away about the design of the ball but said it would be better suited for South American players as well as fly "more accurately than other balls."

Sacchi: Arrigo Sacchi has said he is quitting as Real Madrid's director of football at the end of the year for personal reasons and not because the club decided to sack coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo. "I started to think about leaving in October," Sacchi said. "For a man of football being at Real Madrid has been fantastic, but at my age my family is very important to me and I miss my wife, my daughter and my home country."

Malmo: Former European Cup finalists Malmo said yesterday they had received final approval to build a new 27,000-seat stadium. The 15-time Swedish champions plan to move into the new stadium in 2009. The cost is estimated at $59m.

Russia: Russian soccer chief Vitaly Mutko has hinted he will wait until after next year's World Cup to name the national team coach. Mutko said he has had talks with several high-profile coaches, including former Lyon manager Paul Le Guen and Dutchmen Dick Advocaat and Guus Hiddink, among others.

King's Cup: Third division Zamora hit the jackpot yesterday after being paired with Barcelona in the last 16 of the King's Cup. The only remaining non top-flight team in the knockout competition will host the Catalan giants at their modest Ruta de Plata stadium on January 4.

Emerson: Juventus midfielder Emerson will be out of action for 10 days after picking up a thigh strain. The Brazilian international is expected to regain fitness in time for Juventus's trip south to play Lazio on December 17.