Fascist salute: The wife of Italy's deputy prime minister defended Paolo Di Canio's stiff-armed salute to fans yesterday, calling it a friendly gesture and not provocation. The 37-year-old Di Canio may face disciplinary action over his salute to Lazio fans at the end of Sunday's away match at Livorno. Daniela Fini, the wife of Gianfranco Fini who is also Italy's foreign minister, said Di Canio was the victim of media bias against the right. "It should be his own affair, but every time it happens it becomes a matter of state," said Fini, a well-known supporter of Lazio, the Rome club which traditionally has many far-right followers.
Bayern: Bayern Munich completed the signing of Paraguayan midfielder Julio Dos Santos for two million euros yesterday. The German champions said on their website the 22-year-old had agreed a three-and-a-half year contract beginning in January. Dos Santos will join Bayern for their training camp in Dubai from January 6. Also yesterday, midfielder Sebastian Deisler agreed a three-year extension to his contract at Bayern.
Isaksson: Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson will be out of action at least for the rest of the year with a thigh injury. Isaksson was injured playing for Stade Rennes against PSG at the weekend. The 24-year-old, Sweden's first-choice keeper, is expected to keep goal for his country at next year's World Cup finals in Germany, where they have been grouped with England, Paraguay and Trinidad.
French clubs: France's top soccer clubs were given a boost yesterday when the European Commission said they should be allowed to raise funds through the stock market. The Commission said it believes the current laws in France, which forbid professional sports clubs to raise capital from the public, are unjustified. French champions Lyon have qualified impressively for the last 16 of the Champions League, despite operating on a much smaller budget than their English, Italian, Spanish and German rivals.
Brazilians' Base: World champions Brazil have chosen a base near Frankfurt for the World Cup, the Brazilian FA said. The five-times world champions will have exclusive use of a hotel at Koenigstein, around 20 kilometres from Frankfurt, during their stay in Germany. Brazil kick off the defence of their crown against Croatia in Berlin on June 13, face Australia in Munich on June 18 and Japan in Dortmund four days later.
France: France will play four warm-up matches, one against Slovakia, to prepare for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. The French FA said the team would take on Slovakia at the Stade de France on March 1 and play three other games between May 27 and June 8.
Bundesliga: Kaiserslautern vs E. Frankfurt 1-2.
Snooker: UK Championship third round - Hendry bt Williams 9-3; S. Davis bt Maguire 9-8; Robertson bt Murphy 9-8.