Juventus: Juventus decided to drop its appeal to a civil court against a match-fixing ruling yesterday, diminishing the threat of a further delay to the start of the Serie A season. "The board has decided unanimously to withdraw the appeal it made in the past few days to the regional court of Lazio and to turn instead to CONI's (the Italian Olympic Committee's) court of arbitration," the club said in a statement.
Reyes: Real Madrid have agreed a deal with Arsenal to take Spain forward Jose Antonio Reyes on loan for one season in exchange for Brazil's Julio Baptista, the Primera Liga club said yesterday. The agreement includes an option for the clubs to buy the respective players at the end of the season-long loans, a Real spokesman told Reuters. Although the clubs are in agreement, the players have yet to sign their contracts.
Chelsea Fined: Chelsea rounded on the FA yesterday after it fined the English champions £40,000 for performing an independent drugs test on their former striker Adrian Mutu. The FA said in conducting tests on some of their players in 2004 Chelsea had "breached the FA's doping control regulations." Mutu, now with Fiorentina, was sacked by Chelsea and served a seven-month ban following another test that proved positive for cocaine. "While we accept there was a technical breach of the doping regulations in this case, we find it extraordinary that we have been found guilty of trying to undermine the drug testing system," the club said.
Kilbane: Everton midfielder Kevin Kilbane has joined Premier League rivals Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee. The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international becomes Wigan's ninth signing since the end of last season, the club said.
Ayala: Argentina defender Roberto Ayala has patched up his differences with Valencia and committed himself to the Primera Liga club. The 33-year-old centre back had asked for a move earlier in the month after accusing the management of going back on a promise to give him a contract extension.
Portsmouth: Croatia playmaker Niko Kranjcar has left Hajduk Split for Portsmouth. The 22-year-old signed a four-year contract with the south coast club. Financial details were not disclosed. Earlier, the south coast club have signed former England striker Andy Cole from Man. City on a two-year contract.
Kohler: Former West Germany defender Juergen Kohler has turned down an offer to coach Ivory Coast because of his wife's concerns for safety in the war-divided West African state, FA officials said. The Ivorian football federation said on Wednesday Kohler had signed a two-year deal with the intent of getting the team to the 2008 African Nations Cup finals, but the German pulled out at the last minute before putting pen to paper.
Yorke: Sydney FC striker Dwight Yorke is poised to sign for English second division club Sunderland. The 34-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international will link up again with his former Manchester United team mate Roy Keane, who has just taken over as Sunderland manager.
Nonda: Congo international striker Shabani Nonda left Roma on a season-long loan deal for Premier League Blackburn Rovers yesterday. Blackburn have an option to sign the 29-year-old player on a permanent deal at the end of the loan period. Roma meanwhile have signed young Tottenham Hotspur defender Rodrigo Defendi on a season-long loan.
Fiore: Valencia midfielder Stefano Fiore will spend next season on loan with Serie A side Torino. The 31-year-old spent last season on loan with Fiorentina.