Montero: Uruguay captain Paolo Montero was reported to have quit international football after the South Americans lost to Australia on penalties in their World Cup play-off yesterday. Former Juventus defender Montero, who has symbolised Uruguay's tenacious if ruthless approach to the game, limped out of the match late in the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old, winning his 61st cap, previously announced his international retirement after the 2002 World Cup but changed his mind last year.
Diouf: Bolton Wanderers forward El Hadji Diouf has been fined £500 by Teesside Magistrates Court after admitting he spat at a fan during a match at Middlesbrough a year ago. The Senegal forward, who was also ordered to pay £500 costs, admitted a charge of disorderly conduct following the incident in Bolton's 1-1 Premier League draw at the Riverside in November of last season. Due to face trial on December 8, Diouf's lawyer entered a guilty plea in a pre-trial review hearing on Tuesday. Diouf spat after drinking from a plastic bottle but maintained he had not meant for it to hit someone.
Real Madrid: Brazilian forwards Ronaldo and Julio Baptista will be fit for Saturday's league match for Real Madrid against arch-rivals Barcelona. Ronaldo damaged ankle ligaments in last month's victory over Atletico Madrid, while Baptista suffered a knee injury during Real's 4-1 win over Rosenborg the following week. "If I wasn't feeling good I would be the first to say so, but the pain is now minimal and I can put up with it," Baptista said at the club's new training ground in Valdebebas. "Ronaldo is in good shape too. He got injured three days before I did and he's getting stronger every day. We both want to play."
Ballack: Michael Ballack will wait until at least January before deciding whether to make a dream move abroad or to stay at Bayern Munich. Bayern this week withdrew their offer of an extended contract but the Germany captain says he may yet decide to stay on after his current deal expires at the end of the season. "Foreign clubs can speak to me as of January," Ballack said. "It would be a dream for me to play abroad but I can just as easily see myself staying at Bayern." The Bundesliga champions reportedly offered Ballack a four-year contract worth 36 million euros before becoming frustrated by his continued stalling.
Bosnian Rampage: A Bosnian Cup quarter-final between fierce rivals Zeljeznicar and Sarajevo was abandoned five minutes into the second half after Sarajevo players attacked the referee in protest at a decision. Referee Dusan Pekija had to be treated by paramedics while Sarajevo player Samir Saric lost consciousness after appearing to be hit by Pekija as he tried to defend himself. The Sarajevo derby is usually a tense but peaceful affair, although a pre-season friendly two years ago was interrupted after a brawl involving players, coaching staff and fans.