Albelda: Valencia midfielder David Albelda, club coach Ronald Koeman and president Juan Soler have appeared before a Spanish court to try and resolve the dispute over Koeman's decision to sideline the player from the first-team squad. "We couldn't come to an amicable agreement because they wanted to stop me joining certain clubs so it is now down to the court to decide what will happen," Albelda told reporters.

Emerson: Milan's Brazilian midfielder Emerson is confident the experience of the holders will see them through to the Champions League quarter-finals after Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Arsenal. "Arsenal are strong. They have young players who caused us problems but they don't have our experience," he told reporters. "This is an extra weapon and we know we can do much better at home than we did in London."

Cobolli Gigli: President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has effectively written off Juventus's chances of winning Serie A this season. Gigli told Gazzetta dello Sport's Web site ( www.gazzetta.it ) it would take "a miracle" for his side to finish top. After 23 games Juve are third with 47 points, 12 behind leaders Inter.

Sponsorship: US sportswear group Nike will supply kit and sponsorship to France's national team from 2011 to 2018, replacing German rivals Adidas, the French football federation said. Nike will pay 320 million euros ($474.1 million) over the seven-and-a-half-year contract and supply kit and equipment worth an extra 2.5 million euros a year.

MFA Division Two: Melita vs Sirens 5-0; Naxxar vs Birzebbuga 1-0.

In England: League One - Hartlepool vs Northampton 0-1; Swansea vs Luton 1-0.

Basketball: Gatorade League - Depiro vs Luxol 52-87. Junior Men - St James Hospital vs Eurobasket 54-17.