Cosmi: Udinese have appointed former Perugia and Genoa coach Serse Cosmi on a two-year contract, the Serie A club said yesterday. Cosmi resigned as Genoa coach on Tuesday despite taking the team to the Serie B title last season. The 47-year-old, known for constantly wearing a baseball cap, replaces Luciano Spalletti who guided Udinese to fourth place in Serie A.
Hamburg: Hamburg may be dropped as a 2006 World Cup venue unless it removes a corporate sponsor's name that has been part of its stadium name for the last five years, German newspaper Bild reported yesterday. The daily said it had obtained a copy of a letter from FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi to Germany's tournament organising committee demanding Hamburg drop the name of internet provider AOL from the stadium's name or risk losing World Cup matches.
Mexes: French international defender Philippe Mexes and his club AS Roma have appealed against FIFA's decision that he should pay eight million euros to compensate his former club AJ Auxerre for breach of contract. Auxerre have also appealed to the CAS however, asking for the compensation decided by FIFA'S Dispute Resolution Chamber in May to be recalculated because they believe it is insufficient.
Ultras: Members of Italian 'ultra' gangs of football fans held a meeting with lawmakers in the country's parliament yesterday to discuss anti-violence legislation. Ultras from Sampdoria, Milan, Roma, Lazio and Inter were among those who met with a cross-party group of representatives in the Chamber of Deputies.
Serie B: Promotion play-off - Perugia vs Torino 1-2. Second leg on Sunday.
World 5,000 metres champion Eliud Kipchoge may miss selection for the Helsinki world championships in August after a clash with Kenyan officials who insist he must run the event at the national trials. Kipchoge, who is allowed to defend his title whether or not he competes in the trials, said this week he would run the 1,500 only tomorrow. However, Athletics Kenya secretary general David Okeyo said Kipchoge had to run in the 5,000 if he wished to travel to Finland. "He has to run in his specialty if he hopes to defend his title in Helsinki," Okeyo said.