Blokhin: Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said yesterday he would quit if his team failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championship. "If we do not fulfil this job ahead of us I will resign," Blokhin told reporters at a news conference before their qualifier away to Group B leaders Scotland tomorrow, adding he did not know whether his resignation would be accepted. Ukraine, who played at the World Cup for the first time last year, lost 2-1 at home to Italy in September leaving them in fourth place, eight points adrift of the Scots.
Ten Cate: Chelsea expect to sign Henk Ten Cate as assistant coach within the next 24 hours, the Premier League club said yesterday. Chelsea want to rebuild their backroom staff after the departure of Jose Mourinho last month. Israeli Avram Grant has since taken over from the Portuguese manager. Grant, 52, has yet to obtain the UEFA pro licence normally required to coach in European competition and the Premier League.
Uruguay: Uruguay's players have joined in the criticism over a rise in ticket prices for their team's World Cup qualifiers. Prices to watch the matches at the Centenario stadium vary from 100 pesos ($4) to 625 ($27), nearly twice the amount charged in the 2002 qualifying competition. "The ticket prices are robbery," midfielder Pablo Garcia told local media. "The public cannot afford them. There are a lot of people with no job or who earn low salaries and they can't afford a luxury such as this."
President support: Botev Plovdiv's players have ceased training to express support for their president, who is on the verge of leaving the Bulgarian premier league club following a confrontation with fans. Botev's president Dimitar Hristolov said earlier this week he would no longer finance the club after angry fans insulted him and threw bottles and stones at his car after Botev's 1-1 home draw against Cherno More Varna.
Thailand: Thailand's soccer chief is confident his country has what it takes to reach the 2018 World Cup finals. Worawi Makudi said the Thais had talented young players, and the squad had shown its potential during the recent Asian Cup, despite failing to reach the quarter-finals. "Participation in the World Cup is the dream of every team...after the next two World Cups, Thailand's dream will come true," Worawi was quoted as saying by the Asian Football Confederation website (www.the-afc.com).
FIFA nominations: Italy has been shocked at the absence of Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AS Roma forward Francesco Totti, last season's European Golden Boot winner, on the list of nominations for FIFA World Player of the year. "It is absurd...and unbelievable. It damages soccer," Inter director general Ernesto Paolillo told reporters about Ibrahimovic's omission. Italian Football Federation chief Giancarlo Abete said: "Both players deserve to be on this list, they have all the qualities."
President scores: Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi scored a penalty as his team of ministers and officials notched up a 2-2 draw in an exhibition game against the West African country's national team, the Squirrels, on Tuesday. The game at the national stadium aimed to promote tomorrow's decisive African Nations Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone for a place at next year's finals being staged in nearby Ghana.
Derby trouble: Belgrade rivals Partizan and Red Star were punished for trouble involving fans and players during their derby last month. Partizan were ordered to play one match behind closed doors after their fans shouted racist abuse at Red Star's Senegalese defender Ibrahim Gueye and two dozen of them invaded the pitch after the final whistle. Red Star's Portuguese midfielder Lukas and striker Nenad Jestrovic were given two-match bans while Serbia winger Ognjen Koroman will miss one game for violent conduct.
Diouf: Bolton Wanderers striker El Hadji Diouf was named yesterday in Senegal's 19-man squad for a friendly against Guinea despite announcing earlier this week that he had quit international football. The 26-year-old, who has played more than 30 times for Senegal, had been captaining his country before his surprise announcement on Monday. He cited "organisational problems" in the West African side for his decision to retire.