Galatasaray: Galatasaray will seek compensation from Olympique Marseille for Franck Ribery if the French midfielder's transfer goes ahead. Marseille announced on Wednesday Ribery, 22, had joined them in a move re-uniting him with the Ligue 1 club's new coach Jean Fernandez, under whom he played at Metz in 2004 before moving to Turkey.
Liverpool: European champions Liverpool have cancelled two pre-season friendlies in Japan next month because of a fixture pile-up, match organisers said. The games against J-League clubs Shimizu S-Pulse on July 27 and Kashima Antlers on July 30 were shelved as they clash with next season's Champions League qualifying competition.
Chelsea: Chelsea will play two friendlies against Milan during a tour of the United States next month, the Premier League champions said yesterday. US sides Chicago Fire and DC United will also feature in a four-team series as Chelsea return to the States after playing pre-season games there last year against Celtic and Roma. The London club face Milan on July 24 at Foxboro, near Boston, DC United on July 28 in Washington and Milan again on July 31 at the Giants Stadium, New Jersey.
Ricardo: Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ricardo has agreed a two-year contract with Osasuna, the Primera Liga club said. The 33-year-old was released by United at the end of last season after failing to establish himself in three years at Old Trafford. Osasuna also said they are not renewing goalkeeper Ricardo Sanzol's contract, so Ricardo will compete with current first choice Juantxo Elia for the no.1 jersey.
Boca's Benitez resigns: Boca Juniors coach Jorge Benitez resigned on Wednesday after television images showed him spitting at a Guadalajara player during the previous night's stormy Libertadores Cup tie. The incident occurred during an on-field brawl in the second half of a tense quarter-final tie as the home side headed towards elimination from the tournament they won three times between 2000 and 2003. Appointed as interim coach in November, Benitez was given the job on a long-term basis one month later after Boca won the Copa Sudamericana, the region's equivalent of the UEFA Cup.
AFC warning: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has ordered Thailand to get its act together or risk losing the right to co-host the 2007 Asian Cup. Officials are unhappy at the condition of the Thai venue to be used for the tournament, the AFC said yesterday. Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia are the other co-hosts. Thailand has been given four weeks to show improvements to the stadium and give evidence of government support for Asia's most prestigious competition.
In Italy: Serie B promotion play-offs first legs - Ascoli vs Torino 0-1; Treviso vs Perugia 0-1. Second legs on Sunday.