G14: The G14, representing 18 of Europe's most powerful clubs, scored a victory over FIFA when the game's world governing body backed down in a row over a major youth tournament which seemed destined for the courts. Earlier this month, London-based Gifted Group, organisers of the "Champions Youth Cup" in Malaysia, together with G14 filed a lawsuit in Brussels against FIFA over its failure to give the tournament its official endorsement. Following a meeting of its executive committee on Sunday, FIFA has decided to give the 16-club Aug. 9-15 tournament its backing.

Basturk: VfB Stuttgart have signed Turkey midfielder Yildiray Basturk on a free transfer from Hertha Berlin, the Bundesliga champions said yesterday. The 28-year-old former Bayer Leverkusen player, who was often injured during his stint in Berlin, has played in 218 Bundesliga games and 40 Champions League matches.

Reveillere: France defender Anthony Reveillere hes extended his Olympique Lyon contract by four years, the six-times French champions said on Monday. Right back Reveillere, 27, joined Lyon in 2003 from Valencia and is now tied with the club until 2011.

De Canio: Italian coach Luigi de Canio is the top candidate to take over at Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade, media in Belgrade reported quoting club sources.De Canio has coached Several Serie A sides and is seen at Red Star as an ideal replacement for Bosko Djurovski, who will reportedly be offered another job at the club after guiding them to the 2007 domestic double.

Celtic: Celtic paraded new midfielder Scott Brown yesterday as the record transfer between two Scottish clubs after agreeing a 4.4 million pound fee with Hibernian. "I want to play for Scotland as many times as I can and I think playing for Celtic helps," Brown told a news conference.