Stam: Milan defender Jaap Stam has been included in a 20-man squad to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League semi-final first leg today. The Dutch international, who risked missing the fixture after suffering a muscle strain during a 3-0 win against Serie A rivals Parma at the weekend, underwent fitness tests late last night.

New sponsors: Chelsea signed a five-year sponsorship deal with South Korean electronics firm Samsung yesterday. The deal makes Samsung the London club's official sponsor and players' shirts will carry the logo "Samsung Mobile" from next season. It is Samsung's second biggest partnership deal after its sponsorship of the Olympic Games. No financial details of the Chelsea deal were available. Media reports put its worth at £50 million.

Pennant: Birmingham completed a £3 million deal to sign on-loan winger Jermaine Pennant from Arsenal on a permanent basis yesterday. Birmingham said the former England under-21 international, who has been on loan at St Andrews since January, had signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year.

Top Scots: Celtic's John Hartson and Rangers midfielder Fernando Ricksen shared the Scottish Professional Footballers Association's Player of the Year award. Wales striker Hartson has hit 28 goals for Celtic, who are closing in on the Premier League title and are in the Scottish Cup final. Dutch midfielder Ricksen has captained Rangers with authority all season and scored in their 5-1 thrashing of Motherwell in the League Cup final.

Nice: Ligue 1 strugglers Nice said yesterday they had sacked coach Gernot Rohr after a series of poor results. With four games left, Nice are 17th in the 20-strong table, just one spot above the relegation zone.

In Italy: Serie B - Ascoli vs Genoa 0-3; Torino vs Vicenza 2-1.