Kenya Ban: FIFA has decided to lift its threat to ban Kenya from international soccer, giving the country's football federation two more months to bring its structure into line with the world governing body's statutes. Kenya was warned at FIFA's annual congress in Marrakesh in October that it would be suspended from all soccer activity from December 14 because of government interference in running the sport.
McLeish: Rangers manager Alex McLeish is to stay in his post, the Scottish champions said yesterday, ending speculation that he might be sacked following the club's poor run of results. On Tuesday, Rangers became the first Scottish club to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League. "I can confirm that Alex McLeish will continue as manager of Rangers Football Club," chairman David Murray said.
Essien: Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been charged with "gross unsporting conduct" by UEFA following his tackle on Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann in Tuesday's Champions League game. The Ghana international escaped punishment on the night for a tackle that Hamann described as the worst he had ever suffered, the German adding that he feared he had broken his leg.
European football: A study into how football is run in Europe is to be organised by UEFA and the European Commission, Richard Caborn, the British sports minister said yesterday. Caborn told a news conference his initiative had the support of FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Lennart Johansson, the president of UEFA.
New Award: A new award for best young player of the tournament will be launched at next year's World Cup finals in Germany. Fan votes will be collected after the semi-finals and the top three will be joined by three more chosen by FIFA's Technical Study Group (TSG) to create a shortlist of six players. The winner will be chosen by the TSG, which is made up of coaches and analysts. Players aged 21 and under will be eligible for the Best Young Player award, which is being inaugurated by FIFA sponsor Gillette.
Olympics: FIFA will abolish the rule allowing men's teams competing at the Olympics to field three over-age players. The men's soccer at the Summer Games in Beijing in 2008 will be a strict U-23 competition. Argentina, who won gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004, had experienced full internationals Roberto Ayala, Kily Gonzalez and Gabriel Heinze as their three over-age players.
Bilbao: Athletic Bilbao have been fined 600 euros by the Spanish FA after a large firecracker was thrown into the goalmouth during the club's match against Atletico Madrid last Saturday. The incident occurred during time added on when the Basque side were losing 1-0. The firecracker landed close to two Atletico players. The match resumed soon after and Bilbao defender Pablo Orbaiz headed an equaliser in the 96th minute prompting protests from Atletico's players and management.