Benitez: Coach Rafael Benitez has dismissed talk of a crisis at European champions Liverpool and says his detractors should wait until the end of the season before passing judgement. "A lot of people talked about Liverpool last season and said we were the worst Liverpool team for 40 years," Benitez said. "Then we won the Champions League and now the Super Cup and that proves you cannot talk about a team after two and a half months of the season."
Ranieri: Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has said he is interested in the vacant position at Scottish Premier League leaders Hearts. "I am interested. It is an interesting project," Italian Ranieri told BBC radio. Hearts have also held talks with ex-England boss Bobby Robson. "We have spoken to Sir Bobby and then Claudio Ranieri yesterday and all I will say is that discussions will be on going," a club spokesman said yesterday. "There is no deadline as quality takes precedence over timing."
Beckham: Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham has failed to recover from a calf injury and has been left out of the squad to face Real Betis in the Primera Liga today. England captain Beckham was substituted in the second half of Real's 3-1 defeat by Deportivo on Wednesday, and did not train with the rest of the squad on Thursday or yesterday. He remains a doubt for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Rosenborg. Beckham joins Brazilians Ronaldo and Julio Baptista, Thomas Gravesen and Zinedine Zidane on Real's list of injured players.
Di Canio: Lazio forward Paolo Di Canio has been ruled out for over a month with a calf muscle injury, the Serie A club said yesterday. The 37-year-old Lazio captain and former West Ham United and Celtic striker picked up the injury in training and the club said he would need 30 to 40 days before he could return to action. Di Canio's absence means Macedonian striker Goran Pandev is likely to partner the in-form Tommaso Rocchi in attack.
Newcastle Loss: Newcastle said yesterday they made a financial loss after a disappointing performance in the Premier League last season. Announcing results in the year to July 31, Newcastle said they booked a £104,000 loss after finishing 14th in the league, following a £4.17 million profit the previous year. Turnover fell to £87.0 million from £90.2 million while players wages climbed to £50.2 million from £44.9 million. The purchase of England striker Michael Owen from Real Madrid was not included in the accounts.
In England: The Championship - Burnley vs Hull 1-0.
MFA Division Three: Kirkop vs Zurrieq 1-2; Sirens vs Luqa 2-1.
Basketball: Peugeot League - Kerygma vs Hibs 43-84. MBA Shield Division One men - Mellieha vs Mosta 72-83.