Smith: Man. United dedicated Sunday's 4-0 League Cup final win over Wigan to Alan Smith and will ask for a medal for the injured midfielder. Smith, who played in the two semi-final games against Blackburn Rovers, suffered a horrific leg break and dislocated ankle in the FA Cup defeat by Liverpool the weekend before last. Manager Alex Ferguson said it was the players' idea to wear T-shirts with the slogan "For You Smudge" as they celebrated with the trophy at the Millennium Stadium. United are entitled to apply for an extra medal for Smith and Ferguson told a news conference: "We'll apply."
Heinze: Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze is winning his battle to be fit for the World Cup finals in Germany starting in June, according to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. Heinze looked likely to miss the tournament after suffering a serious knee injury in a European Champions League match at Vilarreal on Sept. 14. "His progress is very good now," Ferguson said. "Our latest development is that he will possibly be here at the beginning of April with the possibility of playing before the end of the season."
Romanian Probe: The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has revoked the licence of agent Ioan Becali and fined former Romania captain Gheorghe Popescu $40,000 for their involvement in an illegal transfer. The FRF had launched an investigation into Romania striker Florin Bratu's move from Rapid Bucharest to Turkish club Galatasaray in 2003 after Romanian media said that $2 million of the $2.75 million fee was unaccounted for. Last week, Romania's fiscal authorities launched an investigation into striker Adrian Mutu's move from Dinamo Bucharest to Inter in 1999.
Fans Hurt: Five Paris St Germain supporters were slightly injured and 21 were detained during fighting after a 0-0 Ligue 1 draw with Nantes on Saturday, police sources said. The violence erupted in a motorway lay-by between rival groups of PSG fans. No Nantes supporters were involved.
Other Football Results...
Primera Liga: Weekend's results - Alaves vs R. Santander 2-2; A. Bilbao vs Villarreal 1-1; Celta Vigo vs Cadiz 2-0; Espanyol vs Sevilla 5-0; R. Betis vs R. Sociedad 2-0; Valencia vs Getafe 1-1; R. Mallorca vs R. Madrid 2-1; Osasuna vs Deportivo 1-2; A. Madrid vs Malaga 5-0; R. Zaragoza vs Barcelona 0-2. Leading standings - Barcelona 58; Valencia 50; R. Madrid 48; Osasuna 46; C. Vigo 42; Sevilla 41; Deportivo 40; Villarreal 39; A. Madrid 38.
Bundesliga: Hamburg vs Stuttgart 0-2; Duisburg vs Hertha Berlin 2-1.
French Ligue 1: Monaco vs Lille 0-1; Lens vs Ajaccio 1-0; Strasbourg vs Troyes 2-0; Marseille vs Nice 1-0.