Recoba: Uruguayan striker Alvaro Recoba, formerly of Inter, has signed a one-year extension to stay at Greek club Panionios. The 32-year-old joined Panionios last year and scored seven goals in 21 appearances to help them finish eighth in the Greek Super League.
Happy sponsors: Emirates airline is happy with its Arsenal sponsorship deal as long as the Premier League team finishes in the top 10, the company's president said. "We didn't expect them to win the Champions League or the Premiership," Tim Clarke said. "So long as they finish in the top half." Arsenal, who signed a 15-year deal worth £100 million with Emirates in October 2004, have not won a trophy since they lifted the FA Cup in 2005.
CSKA Sofia: CSKA Sofia have lost their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a legal row with Bulgaria's football authorities, officials said yesterday. The Lausanne-based CAS ruled that the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) had abided by its rules when deciding that CSKA had failed to meet licensing criteria because of debts to the state and creditors. CSKA, 31 times Bulgarian champions, were banned from last season's European Champions League after the BFU ruling.
Fabregas: Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas suffered a nasty-looking head wound and had to be replaced at half-time during the European champions' friendly against Azerbaijan in Baku yesterday. The Arsenal captain was brought down in the penalty area just before the break and appeared to hit his head on the ground. He looked in some pain as the wound bled profusely.
Nantes: Nantes have named Gernot Rohr as their new coach after they were relegated from Ligue 1. The 55-year-old, who has joint German and French nationality, has signed a two-year contract. Rohr, fired by Tunisian side Etoile Sahel last month, takes over from Elie Baup.
Kameni: Espanyol's Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni has extended his contract for four more seasons through 2013, the Primera Liga club said. "We have agreed an extension and Kameni has indicated to us he is happy to continue at Espanyol," sporting director Ramon Planes said.
Friendlies: Iraq vs Poland 1-1; Bosnia vs Oman 2-1; Azerbaijan vs Spain 0-6.
Under 21: Poland vs Liechtenstein 2-0; Faroe Islands vs Russia 1-0; Armenia vs Turkey 2-5; San Marino vs Czech Republic 0-8.
Horse racing: The Jockey Club has announced a record operating profit of £18.8 million at its 14 racecourses in 2008, up from 10.9 million in 2007. Three years ago the Jockey Club handed over its regulatory duties to what is now the Horse Racing Authority (HRA) and now concentrates its efforts on running some of the country's leading racecourses and developing the grass roots of the sport. Attendances across the club's tracks were down from 1.83 million to 1.78 million.
Tennis: French Open champion Roger Federer has pulled out of the Halle grass tournament in Germany. "I am sorry to announce that I have decided to withdraw from this week's Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany," Federer said. "I sincerely apologise to the tournament organisers, my competitors, and my fans in Germany. I only hope they will understand that I still feel exhausted by the incredible events of the past few days."
Olympics: Baseball, working towards Olympic reinstatement, has growing global appeal which make it a natural fit for future Games, international federation chief Harvey Schiller said. In 2005, baseball and softball became the first sports to be cut from the Olympic programme since 1936 and will not feature in London 2012. Baseball is one of seven sports vying for Olympic entry for 2016 as the IOC seeks to modernise its Olympic programme. Karate, softball, squash, golf, rugby and rollersports are the other candidates for up to two places with a decision set for October.
Rugby Union: Teenager James O'Connor will make his first test start for Australia against Italy in Canberra on Saturday, in a team notable for the absence of veterans Lote Tuqiri and Phil Waugh. The 18-year-old back, named in the reserves for Australia's record 55-7 thrashing of the Barbarians last weekend, replaces Adam Ashley Cooper in the starting line-up.