Catania: Catania will soon be able to return to their Massimino Stadium after a civil court lifted the ban imposed on the ground when a policeman was killed in rioting at a match there in February. The ban was handed down by the disciplinary committee of the Italian Football League. The civil court in Catania also lifted the second part of the Football League's punishment, under which the club was forced to play their remaining home games of the season at neutral venues without spectators.
Barcelona: Barcelona will play a friendly against Egyptian league leaders Al Ahli in Cairo on April 24, the Primera Liga leaders said yesterday. The match is part of Al Ahli's centenary celebrations.
McDonald Bonus: Celtic defender Gary Caldwell says it is a "bonus" that Motherwell are to rest striker Scott McDonald for Saturday's Scottish Premier League clash after he agreed to join them next summer. The Australian frontman moves to Celtic on July 1 on a three-year deal and Caldwell told a news conference: "He puts himself about and he scores goals. So him not playing is a bonus for us and I am sure he will be great for us once he gets here in the summer."
Atletico: Atletico Madrid have signed a co-operation agreement with NBA side the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both sides will appoint officials to investigate and develop scouting, economic and marketing models, the Primera Liga club said yesterday.
Vejle: Vejle Boldklub, bottom of the Danish Superleague, have appointed Ove Christensen as coach in place of Kim Poulsen who was fired on Monday. Christensen, 57, has previously coached Danish teams Viborg and Aarhus. Founded in 1891, Vejle are five-time Danish champions.
Wang Dalei: China goalkeeper Wang Dalei could join compatriot Sun Xiang at PSV Eindhoven if the Dutch club makes a suitable offer, the Shanghai Daily reported. The report said PSV had contacted Shanghai Shenhua about the the 18-year-old international, who had trials at PSV and Inter last year when he was with Shanghai United.
Romania: Romania are set to continue playing home matches away from the capital Bucharest because they are made more welcome by fans, coach Victor Piturca said. The Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovenia in June will be played in the western city of Timisoara. "The national team deserves a civilized attitude from the supporters and we have found this outside Bucharest," Piturca told Reuters.
Keeper On The Mark: Bulgarian Dimitar Ivankov hopes to move up the list of the world's highest-scoring goalkeepers after reaching the 27-goal mark by converting a penalty in Kayserispor's 3-2 defeat at Sivasspor at the weekend. The 31-year-old Ivankov is ranked sixth on the list, just one goal behind Bayer Leverkusen's Hans-Jorg Butt.