Women's football: Malta completed their commitments in the Women's European Championship mini-tournament with a heavy 8-0 defeat to Slovakia yesterday. According to MFA officials in Luxembourg, the match was played in torrential rain but the UEFA delegate decided not to abandon the game as it was the last one of the competition. The other game between Luxembourg and Lithuania was called off.
Gallas: Arsenal defender William Gallas could be fit to play against Porto in next month's key Champions League clash, manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday. The versatile Frenchman is ahead of schedule recovering from a thigh problem after concerns he would be out for a few weeks. "...he will not play against Fulham (Nov. 29) and Tottenham (Dec. 2) as it could be a bit premature but he has a chance to be available for Porto," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
Odonkor: Real Betis winger David Odonkor is to have surgery on his knee in Germany and is expected to be out for about three months, the Primera Liga club said yesterday. The 22-year-old German international suffered a heavy blow to his kneecap in last week's 1-1 draw with Cyprus in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
Ferdinand: West Ham United defender Anton Ferdinand was charged with violent disorder and causing actual bodily harm after a fight outside a nightclub. Police said the charges stemmed from an incident outside a nightclub in Ilford, east London, on Oct. 2. Ferdinand, 21, brother of England international Rio, will appear before magistrates today. Another man, Edward Dawkins, 28, was also charged with the same offences.
Iran suspended: FIFA said yesterday it had suspended Iran from all international soccer activity because of government interference in running the game in the country. The move comes just five months after Iran took part in the World Cup finals in Germany and a week after Iran sealed their place in the 2007 Asian Cup finals. In a statement FIFA said they had decided to "suspend the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (IRIFF) from all international activity due to government interference in football matters and violation of Article 17 of the FIFA Statutes."
Hleb: Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has been voted Belarus' top player for the fourth time in the last five years. In a nationwide poll of the country's soccer experts, conducted by the sports daily Pressbol, the 25-year-old playmaker was the overwhelming winner, ahead of Dnipro striker Sergei Kornilenko and Tom Tomsk midfielder Alexander Kulchiy. Hleb also won the honour in 2002, 2003 and 2005 and finished second behind Dynamo Moscow striker Maxim Romashchenko in 2004.
Bridge: England reserve left back Wayne Bridge has signed a new four-year deal with Chelsea, the English champions said yesterday. Bridge, who joined from Southampton in 2003, has decided to stay at Stamford Bridge despite September's arrival from Arsenal of Ashley Cole, who is also keeping Bridge out of the England side. "I feel as though I'm playing well this season," the 26-year-old, who also became a father on Tuesday, said. "I believe that I will continue to get opportunities."