Puskas: Soccer great Ferenc Puskas's health is improving after being taken into intensive care this week, fellow member of Hungary's "Golden Team" Jeno Buzanszky was quoted as saying yesterday. Puskas, 79, has been in hospital with an Alzheimer-like disease for six years, and went into intensive care earlier this week. "Based on my personal experience and information from the hospital, I think that although Ocsi's (Puskas) condition is serious, there is no reason to worry," Buzanszky said.
Gronkjaer: Copenhagen winger Jesper Gronkjaer will be out of action for several weeks after injuring his groin in Wednesday's Champions League match against Benfica, the Danish news agency Ritzau said yesterday. Ritzau quoted the club's doctor as saying Gronkjaer was certain to be out for several weeks and could require an operation. It was his second groin injury of the season.
Barcelona: Barcelona have called for a swift resolution to a dispute that has left them not knowing whether they are playing their Primera Liga match at Racing Santander tomorrow or Sunday this weekend. "It is a big problem because we cannot make travel plans. We will play when they ask us to, it makes no difference to us," European and Spanish champions, Joan Laporta, said yesterday.
Benayoun: Israel captain Yossi Benayoun will sign a five-year contract this week to remain at West Ham, he was quoted as saying yesterday. The 26-year-old midfielder was linked with a move to United's Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal in the close season but has no intention of leaving Upton Park.
Lama Deputies: Kenyan soccer authorities sacked head coach Bernard Lama's deputies yesterday amid recriminations over a humiliating defeat by Eritrea. Lama returned to Europe last week complaining he had yet to receive a contract spelling out the terms and conditions of his employment from the Kenya Federation. Deputy coaches Jacob Mulee and Sammy Nyongesa and team manager Anthony Oriri, were sacked after refusing to assemble the squad, saying they were waiting for Lama's return.
Division II/III KO: Gudja vs Kirkop 2-1; Rabat vs Qrendi 1-0.