Real Deny: Real Madrid have issued an official statement to say their Brazilian striker Ronaldo is not for sale. "The club would like to make it absolutely clear that neither the president nor anyone else responsible at the club would study any kind offer for the best striker in the world," read the statement. Real have moved to counter a story published in yesterday's Marca which said the club would listen to offers for the player in the region of €60 million, with beaten Champions League finalists Milan reportedly considering a bid.
Serbia: Serbia and Montenegro manager Ilija Petkovic has left captain Savo Milosevic and striker Mateja Kezman out of his squad for the World Cup Group Seven qualifier against Belgium in Belgrade on June 4. Petkovic said the two had been omitted because they had made too few starts for their clubs this season. Milosevic has scored just six league goals for Spanish first division side Osasuna and Kezman has struggled to win a first-team place at English champions Chelsea after joining them from PSV last year.
Nantes: Nantes, eight times winners of the French title, face the shame of relegation when they host Metz in the last match of the season today. Nineteenth in the 20-strong Ligue 1, Nantes have been in the top division since being promoted in 1963 - the longest unbroken run in French history. Not only will Nantes have to beat Metz, they have to pray two of their rivals - Bastia, Ajaccio, Caen and Bordeaux - lose as well.
Giovanni: Brazilian forward Giovanni is leaving Olympiakos Piraeus to return home to play for his former club Santos. The 33-year-old, who scored six times in 19 appearances for Brazil, joined Olympiakos from Barcelona in 1999 and has figured prominently in the club's five championships in his six seasons. This season he scored 10 goals as Olympiakos won their 11th league and cup double.
Lyon: Sochaux's Guy Lacombe is poised to take over from Paul Le Guen as Olympique Lyon coach, a source inside the club said yesterday. Le Guen, who steered Lyon to three Ligue 1 titles in a row, announced earlier this month he was stepping down at the end of the season.