Abramovich: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday approved the resignation of Roman Abramovich, the billionaire owner of Chelsea FC, from his post as a regional governor, the Kremlin said. A presidential decree issued by the Kremlin press service said Abramovich had asked to be relieved of his duties as governor of the Chukotka Autonomous District, a sparsely populated Russian region near Alaska.
United tour: Vietnam are looking to lure Premier League champions Manchester United to the Southeast Asian country for a post-season tour next year, local media reported yesterday. The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam is working with United's sponsors to try to organise a friendly with the country's national team, newspapers said.
Yorke: Former Trinidad and Tobago international Dwight Yorke, who will turn 37 in November, has agreed a one-year contract extension with Sunderland. Yorke's previous deal with the Premier League club coached by former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane had expired last month.
Crespo: Chelsea have released Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, who spent the last two seasons at Inter, after his contract expired. The 32-year-old is now a free agent and will consider his club future with Roma interested in his services.
Euro 2008: All 286 dope tests carried out for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland proved negative, organisers UEFA said. The results of the blood and urine tests undertaken in the build-up and during the June 7-29 tournament were "good news for football", UEFA said.
City clear-out: New Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has released 10 players in preparation for the new season. The most notable of names are Paul Dickov, Brazilian Geovanni and Emile Mpenza. Irish defender Gary Breen and Filippo Mancini, son of former Inter boss Roberto Mancini, are also among those released.
Iuliano: Former Juventus def-ender Mark Iuliano has been given a precautionary ban after testing positive for cocaine after playing for Ravenna against Cesena last month.
Athletics: Double amputee Oscar Pistorius failed in his first bid to reach the Olympic 400 metres qualification time at an athletics meeting on Wednesday. The South African, who runs with carbon fibre blades attached below the knees, is entitled to compete against able-bodied runners following a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in May. The 21-year-old needed to clock 45.55 to qualify for the individual race at next month's Beijing Games but instead ran 47.78 to finish fourth.
Basket, NBA: The Seattle SuperSonics will move to Oklahoma City next season after reaching a settlement, the team said on their website on Wednesday. The city of Seattle will be paid $45 million up front and Sonics owner Clay Bennet will pay an additional $30 million in five years if the city is unable to secure another NBA team. The team's name and colours will remain in Seattle. The Sonics had played in Seattle since 1967, winning one NBA title in 1979.
Friendly: Valletta vs Malta U-17 6-0.