Domenech: France coach Raymond Domenech has extended his contract and will remain in charge of the national team at least until after the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, the French Football Federation (FFF) said yesterday. The move has been expected since France reached the final of the World Cup in Germany under Domenech's guidance.
Benitez: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has urged referee Phil Dowd to protect his players in today's match at Bolton. "What we need to do is protect the good players. It comes down to the referees protecting footballers, so they can play football," Benitez said. "I have analysed games we have played in the past (against Bolton) and goals have come from plays that should have been fouls."
Celtic: Celtic will be without Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for Sunday's league match at Falkirk, manager Gordon Strachan said yesterday. Vennegoor of Hesselink is still suffering from an ankle knock he picked up in the final minute of last weekend's Old Firm win over Rangers.
Gourcuff: Milan midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is expected to be out of action for about three weeks after badly bruising a rib, the Serie A club said. The 20-year-old France under-21 international, bought from Rennes during the transfer window, suffered the injury during training for Tuesday's 0-0 Champions League draw against Lille.
Scotland: Scotland manager Walter Smith has included Everton forward James McFadden in his squad for next month's Euro 2008 Group B qualifiers with France and Ukraine. McFadden has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in the victory over Lithuania on Sept. 6.
In England: The Championship - Colchester vs Ipswich 1-0. League Two - Darlington vs Grimsby 2-2.
MFA Division Three: Zurrieq vs Zejtun 3-1; Sirens vs Sta Lucija 1-0.
2014 World Cup: Brazil must start building new stadiums now if it wants to ensure it will be chosen to host the 2014 World Cup, FIFA head Sepp Blatter said. "The ball is Brazil's court and we can say that the demands are very great," Blatter said after meeting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia. Brazil is keen to host the 2014 tournament and is the front-runner to do so after FIFA established its policy of continental rotation that paved the way for a South American country to stage the event in eight years. However, many of Brazil's stadiums are inadequate or even dangerous and other infrastructure such as transport links is also lacking.
Grand Prix Drivers' Association: Renault's Fernando Alonso has been elected as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) in place of retiring Ferrari rival Michael Schumacher. The Autosport website reported that Australian Mark Webber and Schumacher's brother Ralf would be the other directors for the year ahead in place of Briton David Coulthard and Italian Jarno Trulli.