World cup sponsorship: A US federal judge has handed MasterCard Inc. a victory in its lawsuit challenging a deal to switch sponsorship of the World Cup soccer tournament to rival Visa International. The ruling grants MasterCard a permanent injunction blocking FIFA from awarding Visa a prized eight-year World Cup sponsorship that was set to begin in January. The ruling by also directed FIFA to grant MasterCard advertising and sponsorship rights to the World Cup for the period from 2007 to 2014.

Feyenoord: Dutch first division club Feyenoord have been fined 125,000 euros over crowd trouble during last month's UEFA Cup group stage match away to Nancy. The club has also been handed a provisional punishment of playing two home matches behind closed doors if there are any more disturbances in the next three years. The sanctions "for serious disturbances including the throwing of missiles" were announced by UEFA following a meeting of the organisation's control and disciplinary board yesterday.

Transfer irregularities: Ligue 1 club Paris SG have been placed under investigation for alleged transfer irregularities. The club are suspected of having paid undeclared bonuses to players through agents in relation with some 15 transfers from 1998 to 2003. Among the transfers investigated is that of Brazil's Ronaldinho, who joined PSG from Brazilian side Gremio in 2001.

Atouba: Hamburg SV fined and suspended defender Thimothee Atouba for two league matches yesterday for making offensive gestures to fans after his substitution against CSKA Moscow. Coach Thomas Doll said there was no excuse for Atouba's actions in Hamburg's 3-2 Champions League victory over CSKA on Wednesday. The Cameroon defender gave the 'Stinkefinger' (middle finger) to Hamburg fans after he came off in the 69th minute.