Liga investigation: Real Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano has called for an investigation into former Real Madrid and Sevilla player Davor Suker's comments that he took a third party incentive payment from Atletico Madrid in 1996. The week has been dominated by media speculation over the issue of illegal payments, and whether mid-table Mallorca will be paid incentives by other teams to try harder against Real in the Primera Liga title-decider on Sunday. "Suker's comments would be a good starting point for these issues to be investigated by the sporting authorities," Manzano said.
Houllier: Former Olympique Lyon coach Gerard Houllier is expected to be appointed technical director of the French Football Federation in September, sports daily L'Equipe reported yesterday. Houllier parted company with six-times French champions Lyon last month. Meanwhile, Lyon will start the defence of their Ligue 1 title by hosting Auxerre on August 4, according to the 2007/08 calendar released yesterday.
Data error: Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was one of several players to lose an international cap after Japanese officials spotted a data error. Kawaguchi went from 101 to 100 caps after officials discovered two games with Romania in 1997 should not have counted because their opponents did not field full national sides. Former defender Masami Ihara's Japanese record of 123 caps was reduced to 122 while former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura had his goal tally of 56 cut to 55.
CSKA signing: Bulgarian premier league side CSKA Sofia have signed midfielder Jose de Rui from Nacional Madeira, their fifth signing since the end of the season. The 30-times national champions did not disclose details of the length of the contract or transfer fee.
Against racism: The Cyprus first division championship has secured a sponsorship deal worth $3.48 million for the next five years from Marfin Popular Bank (MPB). The deal provides initiatives to combat racism and violence at fixtures, the bank said. "We intend to project these issues in order to start a public discussion on them," said MPB vice- chairman Neoklis Lysandrou. Matches in Cyprus have been marred by violence in recent years and there have been some reports of racism.
Feyenoord: Dutch club Feyenoord have declined a 50 million euro bid, their interim financial manager Peter Vogelzang said yesterday. "We thought is was too little," Vogelzang said, adding that he values the club at 150-200 million euros. Feyenoord named Bert van Marwijk as coach yesterday to replace Erwin Koeman.
Serie B: Relegation play-off (first leg) - Spezia vs Verona 2-1.