Trezeguet: Juventus striker David Trezeguet risks missing next week's Champions League last-16 first leg against Werder Bremen after spraining his ankle during training. The 28-year-old limped out of a practice match on Wednesday and is not expected to play any part in tomorrow's trip to Serie A rivals Messina as he tries to regain fitness in time for the trip to Germany.
Ireland: Ireland coach Steve Staunton introduced five new faces when he named his first squad since taking charge last month for the team's friendly against Sweden in Dublin next month. But the new manager has also called on some of Ireland's brightest players, with Chelsea's Damien Duff, Everton's Kevin Kilbane and Tottenham's Robbie Keane all featuring in the 23-man squad. The new additions include Manchester City's Stephen Ireland, Bolton midfielder Joey O'Brien, Tottenham full-back Stephen Kelly, Sunderland winger Liam Lawrence and Brighton goalkeeper Wayne Henderson.
Katanec: Slovenia's Srecko Katanec will sign a two-year-contract as Macedonia coach, the Macedonian Football Federation said yesterday. The 42-year-old Katanec, who led Slovenia to the 2000 European Championship finals and 2002 World Cup tournament, will earn 240,000 euros ($285,200) over the two years. The former Sampdoria midfielder will be presented at a news conference in Skopje today, where he will announce the squad for the home friendly against Bulgaria on March 1.
Alaves: Alaves president Dimitry Piterman has fired coach Juan Carlos Oliva after just over a month in the job for refusing to follow his orders over team selection for this weekend's match against Real Madrid. "For me it was a type of insubordination," Piterman said. "Here people are not independent and the coach is not at liberty to say or do what he wants. End of story. He's been dismissed and I don't know what plans he has for the future."
Boca taxis: Boca Juniors can expect little trade from rival fans, especially those of city enemies River Plate, with the new taxis bearing the club's colours. Argentina's most popular team will not be too worried, though, since they claim to have the support of more than half of the country's 39.5 million population, according to their fans' 'Half plus one' motto. Boca claimed a world first this week when they signed an agreement with a private fleet of radio taxis that will carry the club's blue and yellow shield on their roofs and doors and whose drivers will wear the team colours.
Brazil: Brazil will play New Zealand in June hoping the experience will help them prepare for their World Cup group game against Australia two weeks later. The June 4 friendly in Geneva will be the world champions' last warm-up for the tournament in Germany, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on its official website.