Klinsmann's suit: Former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann's World Cup warm-up suit and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's boots were among 4,000 items of World Cup memorabilia auctioned off that raised 70,000 euros for charity. Organisers said yesterday that the sweat-stained warm-up suit worn by Klinsmann went to a winning bid of 620 euros while 500 euros was paid for Schweinsteiger's boots. A ball signed by Germany players fetched 1,750 euros.
Porto: Dutch coach Co Adriaanse has resigned from Porto after one season in charge because of a "rift in confidence" with the management board of the Portuguese club. According to Adriaanse the rift made it impossible for him to work, ANP said, quoting a press release. Porto won the Portuguese Premier League title with Adriaanse in April but the coach was criticised for constant tactical changes.
Osim's winning start: Brazilian-born midfielder Alex scored twice to give new Japan coach Ivica Osim the perfect start with a 2-0 home victory over Trinidad and Tobago yesterday. Alex's first-half double gave Japan a much-needed tonic as they seek to erase the memory of a poor World Cup campaign under previous boss Zico.
Jail term: A German court yesterday upheld a 4-1/2 year jail sentence handed down for bribery to the former head of the firm that built a World Cup stadium in Munich, rejecting an appeal against the verdict. In May 2005, a Munich court found Karl-Heinz Wildmoser Jr guilty of corruption and betrayal of confidence for his role in the construction of the 286 million euro Allianz Arena, where the 2006 World Cup kicked off this summer.
Eto'o: Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has been left out of Cameroon's squad for next Wednesday's friendly against Guinea. Cameroon's Football association said in a statement that Eto'o has been excluded because he is touring the United States with Barcelona. Espanyol goalkeeper Idriss Carlos Kameni was also left out because of his side's Spanish Super Cup tie against Barca on August 17, a day after the Guinea match.
Walcott: Teenage forward Theo Walcott, an unused member of England's World Cup squad, has been passed over by new coach Steve McClaren and picked for the Under-21s. Moving down a level, Walcott was picked yesterday by U-21 coach Peter Taylor for a European Championship qualifier against Moldova at Ipswich next Tuesday.
In England: Division One - Southampton vs Coventry 2-0; Sunderland vs Birmingham 0-1. Division Two - Chesterfield vs Carlisle 0-0. Division Three - Boston vs Peterborough 0-1.