Wenger Bid: Carlos Sainz and Juan Miguel Villar Mir hope to lure Arsenal's Arsene Wenger to Real Madrid as part of their joint bid for the club's presidential election on July 2. At the launch of their campaign the duo said they wanted to appoint a general manager in overall control of the football section, with the power to purchase players. They cited Wenger's role with the North London club as a good model to follow. When asked at the press conference if they had spoken to Wenger, former world rally champion Sainz said: "We are in the process of trying to do that."
Ukraine: Ukraine's football association is proposing a reduction of the number of foreign players allowed on the pitch at any one time for premier league clubs. At present the limit is eight but soccer authorities have long advocated gradually reducing to five the number of foreigners permitted. The country's leading clubs have resisted any such change.
Weight speculation: Brazil striker Ronaldo says that continued speculation about his weight is created by lack of knowledge and by the media having nothing better to talk about. The Phenomenal One endured a frustrating season at Real Madrid, puncuated by a series of minor injuries and suggestions that he was fighting a losing battle against the flab. "It doesn't bother me in the slightest," said Ronaldo. "I think it's all down to a lack of knowledge. After all, what is fat," he said, looking in the direction of a group of radio reporters amid laughter. "People have been talking about it for so long that nowadays I just take it as a joke."
No Exams: A Bangladesh university has postponed exams until after the World Cup finals after hundreds of students lay siege to the vice-chancellor's office. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology had earlier rejected students' calls to postpone exams scheduled for June 3-29. "The classes will remain suspended until July 14," an official at the university in the capital said yesterday.
Gabri: Barcelona's versatile defender Gabri has ended his links with the European champions after 13 years but has still to make a decision on his future. The 27-year-old, who turned down the chance to join West Ham in January, has hinted at a possible move to join Frank Rijkaard's former number two Henk ten Cate, who was appointed coach of Ajax two weeks ago. "I still have to decide on my future, and whether I stay in Spain or go abroad," Gabri said. "Ajax's philosophy is similar to Barcelona's which would be a motivating factor but I still have not made a decision."
Deschamps: Former France captain Didier Deschamps has turned down an offer to coach Olympique Marseille next season. Deschamps, who played for Marseille when they lifted the European Cup in 1993, issued a brief statement saying all the conditions for him to take the job were not met. Marseille have been looking for a coach since Jean Fernandez resigned earlier this month, citing personal reasons. Deschamps, who took Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final, was the club's priority candidate.
Auxerre: Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre have named Jean Fernandez as their new coach on a three-year contract. Former Olympique Marseille coach Fernandez, 51, will take over from Jacques Santini who was sacked 10 days ago. Fernandez helped Marseille finish fifth last season and also reached the French Cup final where they lost 2-1 to arch-rivals Paris SG.