Panucci: Christian Panucci refused to be named among the substitutes for Roma's 3-0 win at Napoli yesterday. He was sent to the stands after an altercation with the coach. "It is true," Daniele Prade, Roma director of sport, said. "For the first time we had the complete squad at our disposal. "Everybody else was ready to accept the role, but Panucci's gesture has not gone down well."
Stojkovic: Getafe are poised to sign Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic on loan from Portugal's Sporting as a replacement for the departing Roberto Abbondanzieri. "Abbondanzieri has decided to return to Boca Juniors. It is logical for him to accept an offer which guarantees him two years," Getafe president Angel Torres told a news conference, after the side's 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon.
Reggina: Reggina have sacked coach Giuseppe Pillon and reappointed former boss Nevio Orlandi, the Serie A bottom club said last night. Reggina were unfortunate to lose 1-0 at home to fellow strugglers Chievo on Saturday to lie five points from safety. "Reggina announce that Giuseppe Pillon has been relieved of his duties as first-team coach and that Orlandi has been recalled to lead the side," the club said. The much-travelled Pillon was only named coach in December after Orlandi was dismissed when the team were second from bottom.
US win friendly: Sacha Kljestan struck a hat-trick to lead the United States to a 3-2 win over Sweden in a friendly in Carson, California. Midfielder Kljestan made it 1-0 from a free-kick and added a penalty with five minutes to go in the first half. Sweden hit back with a header from Daniel Nannskog before Kljestan completed his hat-trick with a first-time finish. Mikael Dahlberg's 89th-minute strike reduced the arrears again.
Giggs: Manchester United are planning to offer Ryan Giggs a new contract. The 35-year-old's current deal is due to expire at the end of the season and the winger has already said he could retire in May. However, after continuing to impress in his 19th year at Old Trafford, Alex Ferguson said: "Ryan will be offered a new contract of course. He has been fantastic for us this season... he seems to be getting even better with age."
Commonwealth Games: New Delhi's local government has sought heavy federal funding to complete projects for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, raising fears the economic meltdown could bite into the event. The Delhi state government, due to stage the games from Oct. 3-14 next year, has said it had run out of extra funds to keep infrastructure work going. The local administration has sought around $1.02 billion from the federal government.
Athletics: Japan's Yoko Shibui won the Osaka International Women's Marathon yesterday to book her place on the national team for August's world championships in Berlin. Shibui pulled away with just over 10 kilometres left to win her second Osaka title in a time of 2:23.42.
Basket, NBA: The Miami Heat ended a 10-game losing streak on Saturday, sharp-shooter Dwyane Wade hitting 27 points in a 103-97 home win over Orlando Magic. The NBA scoring leader added eight rebounds and six assists.
Cricket: England batsman Alastair Cook will serve as Andrew Strauss's vice-captain in the four-test series against West Indies which starts next month. "It is a very unofficial position but it is another chance for me to gain some valuable leadership experience and help Strauss in any way I can," Cook said. Strauss was appointed captain earlier this month after the turmoil surrounding the resignation of Kevin Pietersen and the sacking of England coach Peter Moores.
Golf: Spain's Alvaro Quiros won the European PGA Tour's Qatar Masters by three shots ahead of Sweden's Henrik Stenson and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen yesterday. Quiros fired a three-under 69 in the final round for an aggregate score of 19-under 269. Stenson and Oosthuizen shared second place on 272. Stenson hit a final-round 68 while Oosthuizen had a 71. "It wasn't a perfect day. I took time to get going. It is a surprise to win here," said Quiros, who earned 314,400 euros for the victory.