Novo charged: Rangers striker Nacho Novo has been charged with improper conduct for allegedly gesturing to Aberdeen supporters in last month's Premier League game at Pittodrie. The 30-year-old Spaniard was pictured with his shorts lowered beneath his buttocks as he left the pitch at the end of the game, but it is the alleged finger gesture that has landed him with a Scottish FA charge.
Barca deal: Barcelona's management board has approved a three-year sponsorship deal with Turkish Airlines, the Spanish and European champions said on Friday. Turkey's flag carrier will pay Barca €3 million ($4.4 million) a year for the exclusive global deal, club director general Joan Oliver said at a news conference.
Scala: Italian coach Nevio Scala has applied for the vacant Scotland job. The 62-year-old is keen to get back into management and hopes to succeed the recently sacked George Burley as Scotland chief.
Litex out: Holders Litex Lovech were knocked out of the Bulgarian Cup at the last 16 stage yesterday when they lost 1-0 at CSKA Sofia. Slavia Sofia also made it through to the last eight with a hard-fought 2-1 win at city rivals Lokomotiv.
Primera liga: R. Zaragoza vs Athletic Bilbao 1-2; Barcelona vs Espanyol 1-0.
Ligue 1: Le Mans vs Valenciennes 2-1; Lens vs Nice 2-0; Marseille vs Boulogne 2-0; Nancy vs S. Rennes 1-2; Lorient vs Auxerre 0-0.
Motorcycling: MotoGP will become a 1,000cc category in 2012 from the current 800cc engine size, the FIM said after meeting rights holders Dorna in Switzerland. The top category increased from 500cc to 990cc in 2002 but was reduced to 800cc in 2007 in a bid to reduce costs and cornering speeds.
Swimming: Michael Phelps won 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly titles on Friday at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club's holiday meet at the US Naval Academy. The Beijing Olympic took the 200 free in 1:33.14, winning by more than six seconds, and captured the 100 fly in 47.28 seconds.
Basket, NBA: The Phoenix Suns improved to a perfect 8-0 at home with a down-to-the-wire 106-103 victory over the Orlando Magic. Amare Stoudemire scored 28 points and dunked a crucial offensive rebound with 6.9 seconds left to help the Suns fend off the Magic. The Phoenix (16-7) remained the only team in the NBA without a loss at home.