Schwarzer: Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer should be fit for the World Cup after undergoing surgery on a fractured cheekbone, his Premier League club Middlesbrough said. Schwarzer was injured playing for Middlesbrough in their FA Cup semi-final against West Ham, a 1-0 defeat in Birmingham on Sunday. He collided with West Ham striker Dean Ashton and had to come off.
Shelbourne: Shelbourne FC said yesterday it had cancelled a meeting with controversial lawyer Giovanni di Stefano after a storm of media interest. Shelbourne chief executive Ollie Byrne said he was "astonished" the Anglo-Italian lawyer had spoken to the media before meeting the cash-strapped club over his interest in buying a stake. Di Stefano has been dubbed "Devils' Advocate" by parts of the media for working with some of the world's most notorious figures, including Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milosevic. He was interested in investing under 1 million euros in Shelbourne.
Sacrifice in vain: The sacrifice of a lamb by Bulgarian second division side Etar Veliko Tarnovo has failed to have its desired effect. The lamb was killed by a professional butcher at the side of the pitch last Friday, on the eve of Orthodox Easter in the country, in the hope it would help the team secure their first win this year after five defeats and two draws. The posts of one of the goals were then painted with the lamb's blood, but on match-day on Saturday, Etar were beaten again, losing 2-1 to Belite Orli. In happier times, Etar were 1991 Bulgarian champions.
Scolari: Portugal's Brazilian coach Luis Felipe Scolari is emerging as favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager, British newspapers reported yesterday. Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren had appeared to be the main contender but the Express said Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein had persuaded the FA to offer Scolari the job.
FA Cup Ref: Referee Mike Dean has lost his place at the FA Cup final to Alan Wiley over fears that he could have faced pressure from Liverpool fans living near his Merseyside home. The switch was decided by the FA after Liverpool lined up a final on May 13 in Cardiff against West Ham following last weekend's semi-finals.
Riots: Rioting fans caused Velez Sarsfield's home match against Boca Juniors to be abandoned on Sunday after the visitors scored from a twice-taken free-kick to go 3-2 ahead late in the game. Furious home fans threw assorted missiles onto the field and one hit a linesman, forcing referee Sergio Pezzotta to call the match off in the 88th minute.
In England: Premier League - Fulham 1 (Malbranque 45) Wigan 0.
In Italy: Serie B - AlbinoLeffe vs Bari 2-0.