Domenech: French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes has backed Raymond Domenech, denying he said the France coach would be sacked if the team failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. "I did not say that Raymond Domenech would be sacked if France did not qualify," Escalettes said, saying he had been misquoted in an interview with French daily France-Soir. "I have always supported Raymond. I called him to explain the situation and there are no problems between us."
Vieri: Milan striker Christian Vieri will play for Italy against Scotland in Glasgow today despite suffering dizzy spells during training. The 32-year-old striker was forced to sit out training on Thursday after feeling sick during a practice match. "It was just a momentary problem caused by bad digestion. The player is available for selection against Scotland," Enrico Castellacci, head of the Azzurri medical staff, said yesterday.
Downing: Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing will be out for at least three months after undergoing knee surgery. Downing had an operation on Thursday to repair cartilage in his right knee, which was damaged in Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Charlton. Downing, 21, was Middlesbrough's player of the year last season, when his energetic displays and accurate delivery briefly had him in the frame as the latest in a long line of answers to England's troublesome left midfield problem.
Sevilla: Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido is feeling the heat from club supporters following the sale of defender Sergio Ramos to Real Madrid. "I have been vilified in the past 48 hours. I feel as though I have been attacked personally," Del Nido said. Sevilla, who are in their centenary year, have lost two of their key players to Real during the close season along with coach Joaquin Caparros who left to join Deportivo.
Viduka: Australia striker Mark Viduka has been appointed captain for the first leg of the Oceania World Cup qualifier against the Solomon Islands today. New coach Guus Hiddink handed the skipper's armband to the Middlesbrough forward in the absence of regular captain Craig Moore, who was unavailable because of a hamstring injury. "It's a big surprise to me. It's a great honour and I can't wait," Viduka said.
Under 21: UEFA Championship - Slovenia vs Norway 2-2; Scotland vs Italy 2-2; Moldova vs Belarus 1-0; Poland vs Austria 2-2; Wales vs England 0-4; Germany vs Azerbaijan 2-0; Bosnia vs Belgium 1-1; Serbia vs Lithuania 3-2; Turkey vs Denmark 3-2; Albania vs Kazakhstan 3-1; Georgia vs Ukraine 0-3; Switzerland vs Israel 0-0.