Benitez: Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez is refusing to be drawn into a war of words with Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho before tomorrow's Community Shield match. Mourinho claimed last week that he did not like the way Liverpool played football. "I prefer to focus on my team and I don't waste time with these games," Benitez said. "For our supporters the most important thing is to see the game on the pitch and not hear what one manager says and then hear the other manager."
Juventus: Juventus's net loss widened in the 2005/06 fiscal year, and the troubled Italian club said yesterday it would be hurt this year by possible fallout from a match-fixing scandal. The Turin club, which has had to sell several top players after being demoted last month, said its net loss deepened to 21 million euros in the 12 months to end-June from three million the previous fiscal year. Part of the loss stemmed from Juve's failure to get its championship bonus.
Silvestre, Park: Manchester United said yesterday that defender Mikael Silvestre and midfielder Park Ji-sung have both extended their contracts. French international Silvestre, who came to United in 1999, has signed for a further two years until 2009. South Korean Park, who joined United in July 2005, has signed for another year until 2010.
Celtic: Champions Celtic face a top-of-the-table collision with Scottish Premier League newcomers St Mirren today and manager Gordon Strachan has promised them problems. Saints occupy first place on goal difference after taking six points from the first two matches and Strachan said: "I was there last Saturday (when they beat Motherwell 2-0) and saw the formation they like playing. We have done a bit of work on trying to give them problems and make them think and physically defend."
Rangers: Rangers have signed Manchester United winger Lee Martin on a four-month loan deal. Manager Paul Le Guen told the club's website he could play at Dunfermline tomorrow. This week Rangers loaned Dutch midfielder Fernando Ricksen to Zenit St Petersburg for a year. Ricksen should arrive in Russia's second city early next week to sign a personal contract.
Mexico: The Mexico Football Federation (FMF) do not expect to appoint a new coach to replace Ricardo La Volpe until the end of the year. FMF president Alberto de la Torre said the Argentine's successor would be chosen after a series of meetings with the owners of the first division clubs. La Volpe's contract ended when Mexico were knocked out of the World Cup in the second round by Argentina, losing 2-1 in extra time.
Spain: Spain coach Luis Aragones kept faith with almost all of the players he took to the World Cup when he named his squad for next week's friendly against Iceland. Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna and Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares were the only two players to be dropped for Tuesday's match in Reykjavik. Celta Vigo midfielder Borja Oubina was a new face in the squad when he was included at the expense of the Brazilian-born Senna.
Costinha: Portugal midfielder Costinha has said his new club Atletico Madrid should set no limits on their ambitions after a series of top-class signings. "I'm delighted to be here at a club with such a great history and now it is our job to help it rediscover the success it has been looking for in recent years," the 32-year-old said. Atletico have had a major makeover since finishing a disappointing 10th in the Primera Liga last season.
In England: Division One - Wolves vs Preston 1-3.