Chelsea: UEFA have fined Chelsea €10,000 after Marseille security officials were not allowed into the Blues’ stadium at a Champions League game between the clubs. The light fine follows “disciplinary proceedings” opened against Chelsea by UEFA due to the “incorrect behaviour” of their stewards on September 28.
Nigeria: FIFA said it had lifted an international ban on Nigeria after court action against a football official was withdrawn. FIFA had initially imposed the ban for what it called “government interference” in the running of Nigerian football.
Ronaldinho: Brazil coach Mano Menezes named Ronaldinho in his squad for the prestigious friendly against arch-rivals Argentina in Doha, Qatar on November 17. Ronaldinho, who was not selected for the World Cup by Menezes’s predecessor Dunga, is joined in the squad by Milan team-mates Thiago Silva, Robinho and Alexandre Pato.
Viviano: Bologna won’t part with goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano in January. Viviano has been linked with a variety of clubs after emerging as one of the top keepers in the Serie A. “Viviano is co-owned by us and Inter,” Bologna said. “He’ll stay here with us until June.”
In Scotland: Draw for the League Cup semi-finals – Aberdeen vs Celtic; Rangers vs Motherwell. Ties to be played January 29-30.
MFA Div. III: Mtarfa vs Swieqi 0-2; Marsaskala vs Sta Venera 0-2.
Motorcycling: Italian veteran Loris Capirossi will leave Suzuki to join the Pramac Racing Team next season, the stable that is part of the Ducati group announced. The 37-year-old knows Ducati well, having ridden with the team until 2007. Capirossi holds the record of 313 Grand Prix starts in his 20-year career with 29 wins and 99 podium finishes.
Horse Racing: Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Blake Shinn is one of two Australian riders being investigated for allegedly placing illegal bets on horse races. Shinn, who helped trainer Bart Cummings to his 12th Melbourne Cup on Viewed two years ago, and the Sydney jockey Peter Robl are at the centre of the investigation, The Sydney Morning Herald said.
Tennis: Olympic champion Elena Dementieva unexpectedly an-nounced her retirement at the age of 29 after losing her last group match at the year-end WTA Tour Championships in Doha, yesterday. Dementieva, who reached two Grand Slam finals but enjoyed her greatest moment at the Beijing Games, bowed out amidst tearful scenes after a 6-4, 6-2 loss to Fran-cesca Schiavone, the French Open champion from Italy.
Cricket: Former Test fast bowler Merv Hughes has lost his place on Australia’s selection panel. Hughes was squeezed out after the recent appointment of former Test skipper Greg Chappell as the country’s first full-time National Talent Manager and with it a role as a selector.