Santos: Pele is resigned to his former club Santos losing 21-year-old striker Robinho, their most treasured possession. Pele spent 17 years at Santos, resisting numerous offers to play in Europe, but said times have changed and that it was fair that Robinho should be allowed to go to Europe. "I would like him to become a fixture at Santos, like I was," Pele said. "But that was a different era and, although there was already a big difference in terms of money, I was fine at Santos and thought the same could happen to him (but) I think it's fair for him to go and make his living out there.
Racism crackdown: FIFA has given itself the power to punish member associations who fail to take proper disciplinary action following acts of racism. The move, which effectively toughens its existing rules on dealing with racism issues, was ratified by FIFA's executive committee yesterday. "FIFA has now been assured a legal tool with which to sanction member associations that fail to discipline racist incidents in accordance with the FIFA statutes and the FIFA disciplinary code," the game's ruling body said in a statement.
Airborne yoga: Guadalajara have arranged airborne yoga sessions for their five Mexican internationals who were flown straight back from the Confederations Cup in Germany late yesterday to play in a Libertadores Cup tie tonight. Guadalajara sent owner Jorge Vergara's private executive jet to Leipzig to pick up the players. Four pilots, a yoga instructor and a physiotherapist would take the quintet home, arriving in time for the semi-final second leg against Brazil's Atletico Paranaense.
Eto'o: Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has extended his contract with Barcelona until 2010, the Primera Liga champions said yesterday. The 24-year-old, who scored 24 goals last season, turned down an offer to join English champions Chelsea earlier this month. Eto'o becomes the third first-team player to sign a contract extension at the Nou Camp since May, along with Portugal midfielder Deco and Spain midfielder Xavi.
Robert: Newcastle have fined Laurent Robert two weeks wages for the second time in 24 hours after outspoken comments about manager Graeme Souness. "He was warned not to do it and he must suffer the consequences," United chairman Freddy Shepherd said. Robert has signed for Portsmouth but does not officially join them until tomorrow. In yesterday's Sun tabloid, Robert said that England midfielder Jermaine Jenas would soon be leaving the club because of Souness's alleged heavy-handed treatment of him.
Glazer: The family of new Manchester United owner Malcolm Glazer has given assurances that he will not seek to change the collective selling of television rights following his takeover of the Premier League club. Critics of the Glazer buyout and other Premier League clubs had been concerned the American billionaire would sell the rights to air the club's games separately to make more money, potentially cutting income for smaller clubs.
Villa sign Phillips: Former England striker Kevin Phillips has joined Aston Villa from Southampton on a two-year contract. Reports said Villa paid around one million pounds for the 31-year-old.