Bates: Debt-ridden Leeds are considering an offer to invest in the club by former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates. Bates is one of several potential investors circling the English first division club, who are facing the possibility of going into administration, a move that would cost them a 10-point deduction. "No deal has been finalised but as soon as negotiations have been concluded we will issue a press statement," the club said.
Semak: CSKA Moscow captain and striker Sergei Semak is set to sign a two-year contract with Paris St Germain in a €2.9 million move. Semak, 28, scored a hat-trick in CSKA's 3-1 upset win over PSG in a Champions League match last month.
Russia: Russia coach Georgy Yartsev has named one newcomer, CSKA Moscow midfielder Yuri Zhirkov, in his 20-man squad for the February 9 friendly against Italy. The 21-year-old was a revelation last year, breaking into a CSKA side during his first season in the top flight. He replaces Rolan Gusev and Yevgeny Aldonin.
Feyenoord: US defender Corey Gibbs has joined Feyenoord on a 4-1/2-year contract from Dallas Burn. Gibbs was on trial with the first division team during a training camp in Spain where he managed to convince coach Ruud Gullit to sign him.
Vassell: Aston Villa and England striker Darius Vassell faces a second operation on his broken ankle after suffering a reaction to playing in a reserve match. Vassell, 24, fractured his right ankle playing against Fulham in October and had been given a three-month recovery target. He scored on his return to action last week for Villa reserves but club doctors have told him he now needs a 'clean-up operation' which is set to take place today.
Basketball: Kinnie League - Siggiewi vs Pembroke 48-88.
Snooker: Welsh Open Third round results - Hawkins bt Henry 5-2; O'Sullivan bt Hamilton 5-3; King bt Parrot 5-1; Hendry bt Dott 5-1; Ebdon bt Gray 5-3.
¤ Police in Benin detained a suspect yesterday over the killing of national under-20 goalkeeper Samiou Yessoufou and said they now believed the teenager was killed by thieves, not angry fans. A police official said authorities in the West African country were also looking for two other people in addition to the man arrested, who is aged around 30 and has previously served prison time. Initial reports that Yessoufou, aged 18 and known to fans as 'Campos', had been killed in a nightclub by fans over Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Nigeria sent shockwaves through the soccer world. Desperate to honour Yessoufou, Benin scored a surprise 4-1 win over Ivory Coast in their second game at the championship on Tuesday.