Barthez: Former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has announced his retirement from club and international football. "I will still have fun without football," Barthez told French TV channel TF1 yesterday. The 35-year-old Barthez, who started his professional career in 1990 at Toulouse, won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 1998 and the European championship two years later. He also kept goal for France at the World Cup this year.
Eriksson: Carlos Quaresma, a candidate standing for president of Benfica, has promised to bring back former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson if elected, Portuguese newspapers reported yesterday. Quaresma, a businessman who lives in Sweden, is an outsider in the Oct. 27 election, however, with current president Luis Filipe Vieira, favourite to win another term. Eriksson's agent said the Swede had had no contact with Quaresma.
Moore: Former captain Craig Moore has been suspended from Australia's squad for tomorrow's friendly against Paraguay in Brisbane after missing a training session, Football Federation Australia said yesterday. The Newcastle defender has also asked to be released from the squad for Wednesday's Asian Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Sydney and will return to England to prepare for the Premier League match against Bolton on October 15. The 30-year-old defender missed his flight from Sydney to Brisbane on Wednesday, skipping a training session and several public commitments.
Barton charged: Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has been charged with improper conduct and bringing the game into disrepute by the FA after exposing his backside to Everton fans at the end of last Saturday's Premier League game. Barton lowered his shorts after being barracked by the Everton fans at Goodison Park during the 1-1 draw. An FA statement said Barton had until today to respond to the charge.
Croatia injuries: Croatia's midfielder Darijo Srna will not play in the Group E Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra tomorrow and may also miss the match against England four days later. Ivica Olic is also uncertain for the coming qualifiers in Zagreb because of a knee injury.
Rui Costa: Benfica playmaker Rui Costa will be out of action for around one month after injuring his right thigh, the Portuguese club said. The 34-year-old international, who suffered the injury during a Premier League match against Boavista three weeks ago, aggravated it when he played in the second half of Benfica's 4-1 home win on Sunday.
Cacapa: Brazil-born Olympique Lyon captain Claudio Cacapa has been granted French citizenship, the five-times champions announced yesterday. "I am happy with this. My son also has duel nationality now," Cacapa said. The 30-year-old centre back joined Lyon from Atletico Mineiro in 2000.
MFA Division Two: Melita vs Zebbug Rangers 2-2.