Sheffield United: China's Hao Haidong has completed his on-off move to Sheffield United after clearing up a legal row over unpaid business debts, the English club said yesterday. A Chinese court had banned the 34-year-old striker from leaving the country because he had failed to repay debts of $520,000 paid to the player's boot company in 2002. But Hao is now set to arrive in England later this month after resolving the problem before the January transfer window closed.
Servette: A Geneva court delayed yesterday for another 24 hours a decision on whether to declare former Swiss champions Servette bankrupt. Title-winners 17 times, Servette has asked the court for creditor protection to give it time to negotiate a deal to settle about 10 million Swiss francs ($8.36 million) of debt. Club president Marc Roger, a former players' agent, says he has the backing of a group of unnamed Syrian investors. So far he has not given the court proof that sufficient new money will be made available. If he fails to satisfy the court by today's deadline, which had already been extended a couple of times, Servette would face liquidation.
Angel: Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel will not take another penalty for the club this season after having two saved in a 1-1 draw against Fulham on Wednesday. Colombian Angel's two second-half spot-kicks were kept out by Dutchman Edwin van der Sar at Craven Cottage. "One thing's for sure - he won't take another penalty again this season," said Villa first team coach Roy Aitken. "I can't believe he took the second penalty. There were two or three players looking to take it and he should have stepped aside."
Denmark: Thomas Helveg and Claus Jensen have pulled out of Denmark's squad for next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Greece in Piraeus, the Danish Football Association (DBU) said yesterday. Defender Helveg has an injured calf and midfielder Jensen has not yet found his form after several months out injured, the DBU said in a statement ahead of the Group Two qualifier.
Charged: Fourteen people have been charged in connection with the violence that caused the postponement of the Greek league match between Panionios and Olympiakos Piraeus on January 9. The people were recognised from video footage or photographs taking during incidents during which 14 policemen were hospitalised and one fan underwent head surgery. The Prosecutor in charge of the case is continuing investigations to track down other people involved in the violence.