Di Vaio: Valencia coach Antonio Lopez told a news conference he had excluded Italian striker Marco Di Vaio, the team's leading scorer this season "because of the attitude he showed when he was substituted in Sunday's match". Di Vaio, with 11 goals, was substituted early in the second half of his team's 0-0 draw with lowly Real Mallorca at Son Moix. Lopez said the striker had shouted at him and made disrespectful gestures when told he would be replaced.
France friendly: France are due to host Hungary in a friendly at Metz's St Symphorien stadium on May 31. The game will replace a fixture against China which was called off for financial reasons by the federation last week. France then host Argentina in Paris on August 17 before resuming their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Porto: Argentine midfielder Lucho Gonzalez will join his compatriot Lisandro Lopez at Porto next season, the European and Portuguese champions said yesterday. The River Plate player has signed a five-year contract and Porto will pay the Argentine club €3.6 million for half his licence. The other 50 per cent is owned by Global Soccer Agencies Ltd. Porto signed striker Lopez from Racing Club de Avellaneda last week on a four-year deal.
Free Transfer: The owner of Romanian first division side Universitatea Craiova said he is willing to give the club to the city council for free. Craiova lost 1-0 at home to leaders Steaua Bucharest on Sunday, their fifth defeat in a row, and face the prospect of their first ever relegation from the top flight as they lie bottom with 14 points from 20 matches.
Monaco: Monaco, with little hope of the domestic title, play hosts to Ligue 2 giant-killers Clermont Foot in the quarter-finals of the French Cup today. The principality team drew 1-1 at Sochaux on Saturday and are fourth in Ligue 1, 15 points adrift of leaders Lyon with six matches remaining. Monaco have won the French Cup five times but last lifted the trophy in 1991 when they beat Marseille 1-0 in the final.
In Italy: Serie C - Spal vs Sambenedettese 1-2.