Panathinaikos: Jose Peseiro has been confirmed as the new Panathinaikos coach after signing a two-year contract. "I came to Panathinaikos to win titles, such a big team is required to challenge for honours all the time," the Portuguese coach, who steered Sporting Lisbon to the UEFA Cup final in 2005, said. Panathinaikos sacked Victor Munoz last month after finishing third in the league.
Egypt: Egypt have asked the Confederation of African Football to award them victory over Mauritania despite Sunday's African Nations Cup Group Two qualifier in Nouakchott ending in a 1-1 draw. The Egyptian FA said that their players had felt intimidated after a crowd of fans surrounded the pitch after the first half, leading to a 30-minute delay in re-starting the game.
Pumpido: Former Argentina goalkeeper Nery Pumpido was unveiled as the coach of Mexican club Veracruz yesterday. Pumpido, who played in Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup-winning Argentina side, replaces compatriot Pedro Monzon.
Religious songs: Steaua Bucharest owner Gigi Becali hopes to wipe out hooliganism and on-field violence by playing hymns and religious music at their soccer stadium. "I will play only religious songs before the matches, because I'm the one who pays and this is the way I like it," Becali said. "I will take out the song 'We will rock you'. Why play that song? So the players kill each other?"
Krkic: Barcelona reserve team player Bojan Krkic, who has been hailed by the media as the new Lionel Messi, made his debut for Spain U-21 in their 1-0 victory over Georgia at the age of just 16 on Tuesday. Krkic, the son of a former Red Star Belgrade player who moved to Spain in 1988 to play for Catalan side Mollerussa, has until he is 21 to decide whether to play for Spain or Serbia at full international level.
Foster: Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster will miss the start of next season because he needs surgery on a serious knee injury. "Ben Foster has a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee and will require an operation," a United spokesman said. Foster spent last season on loan at Watford, who were relegated to the second division after finishing bottom.
Tearful retirement: Hapoel Tel Aviv midfielder Yossi Abuksis, 36, cancelled a news conference to announce his retirement yesterday after breaking down in tears when fans begged him not to say his playing days were over. The club's new coach Guy Luzon had told him earlier that he would not be considered for a playing position next season. The former Israel international has been appointed Hapoel's chief scout instead.
Friendly: Thailand vs Netherlands 1-3.