Athletics: Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele set a world record in the men's 10,000 metres of 26 minutes 17.53 seconds at the Brussels Golden League meeting last night. Bekele, 23, broke the previous best of 26:20.31 he set in Ostrava in the Czech Republic on June 8 last year.
Everton: Matteo Ferrari has left Roma after completing his move to Everton yesterday. The central defender has put pen to paper on a one-year loan deal, with the option to move outright next summer for around £3.5m. Everton are also in talks with Inter winger Andy Van der Meyde in a bid to sort out personal terms. The midfielder should have a medical over the weekend after a fee of around £2m was agreed with the Italian club.
Blanco: Mexico's volatile striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco was again overlooked when coach Ricardo La Volpe named his squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against the US and Panama. The America striker has not been picked since he pulled out of the squad for the Confederations Cup in June, saying he needed a holiday.
Todd: The English FA has charged Blackburn defender Andy Todd with violent conduct following an incident involving Tottenham's Andy Reid during their league match on Wednesday. The Blackburn captain appeared to headbutt Reid in an off-the-ball altercation which left the Spurs midfielder on the ground. Although the referee missed the incident, the FA decided to take action against Todd after reviewing video footage of the game.
Tudor: Bolton are trying to convince Igor Tudor to accept a move to England after they agreed a one-year loan deal with Juventus. The 27-year-old, who can play in both defence and midfield, is available for transfer after falling out of favour with boss Fabio Capello. The Croatian made just two substitute appearances last term before joining Siena on loan in January.
Anderlecht: Anderlecht coach Franky Vercauteren says his team "have nothing to lose" after being drawn against holders Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Betis in the Champions League. Both of Belgium's Champions League representatives received a dream draw in financial terms but they face an uphill battle to qualify from their respective groups. Club Bruges will host Juventus in their opening Group A game and then face Bayern Munich, while they will hope to salvage something from their encounters with Austrian side Rapid Vienna. Vercauteren said: "This is a heavy group. I think that even third place will be difficult. Beginning with Chelsea is really hard, but we have nothing to lose."
Tiago: French champions Olympique Lyon completed the signing of Chelsea's Tiago yesterday. The Portuguese international is a straight replacement in midfield for Ghanaian Michael Essien, who moved in the opposite direction last week to join the English champions.
Hedman: Former Sweden and Celtic goalkeeper Magnus Hedman announced his retirement yesterday, citing a lack of motivation as the reason. "It's hard to be number one and then go to the bench," the 32-year-old said. "The motivation has dropped." Hedman was Sweden's first choice at Euro 2000 and the World Cup finals two years later.
In England: The Championship - QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday 0-0. League One - Scunthorpe vs Southend 1-0.