In Russia: Kuban Krasnodar have refused to travel to Russia's Caucasus region, still recovering from last week's rebel raid, for their match against first division rivals Spartak Nalchik yesterday. Kuban, relegated from the premier league last year, are in sixth place in the 22-team first division with 69 points from 37 matches. Fourth-placed Nalchik have 73 with a game in hand. Kuban cited security reasons for their decision against travelling to Nalchik after up to 100 gunmen, linked to Chechen separatists, attacked the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria region last Thursday, killing dozens of police and civilians.

Rivaldo: Rivaldo is out of Olympiakos Piraeus's Champions League game against Olympique Lyon because of injury, the Greek club said yesterday. The former Brazil international pulled a groin muscle in Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by PAOK Salonika and has been left out of the 20-man squad for tomorrow's Group F game. Also missing is left-back Grigoris Georgatos who sprained an ankle in the same game.

Cassano: Juve boss Luciano Moggi has ruled out a move for Antonio Cassano. The rebel Roma striker recently saw contract negotiations break down at the Stadio Olimpico, prompting speculation that Juve may move for him during the January transfer window. But Moggi said: "As far as Cassano, nothing will happen in January. Cassano is the type of player that I would take in an instant, but I must also take into account the real needs of the team."

Boruc: Polish international keeper Artur Boruc signed a permanent deal with Celtic yesterday. Boruc, who had joined on a one-year loan from Legia Warsaw in the close season, has penned a three-and-a-half year contract. "The club have an option to keep him for an extra year, which will see him stay at Celtic Park at least until the summer of 2009," Celtic said.

Slim Chance: Winger Joaquin believes Real Betis have only the slimmest of chances to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. "I don't think Chelsea are invincible but they are a great team and right now it is almost impossible to beat them," he said. However, the Spanish international thinks that if Betis play as well they could make life difficult for the runaway leaders of the English premier league. "We know that if we play like we did against Anderlecht then we will have a good chance. Although we will have to work really hard to stop the Chelsea players, we believe we can play a good game and a lot of things can happen in Champions League matches."

Carr: Newcastle defender Stephen Carr has announced his retirement from international soccer following Ireland's failure to reach the 2006 World Cup finals. On Friday, Ireland captain Roy Keane also announced he was quitting the international stage. "I feel the time is right to call it a day with Ireland," Carr said. "It was disappointing for the squad, the manager and the whole country that we didn't qualify for the World Cup."

Abel Xavier: Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier failed a drugs test after the UEFA Cup tie against Greek club Xanthi on Sept. 29, the Premier League club said yesterday. FIFA have suspended the 32-year-old from all competitions pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation.

English Premiership - Charlton 1 (Murphy 48) Fulham 1 (John 28).

In Italy: Serie B - Catanzaro vs Crotone 1-0.