Zebina: Juventus right back Jonathan Zebina has been ruled out of next week's Champions League quarter-final return against Liverpool with a thigh injury. Juve, who trail 2-1 from the first leg, said yesterday that tests showed he had pulled a thigh muscle and the Frenchman would need to rest for a week before further examinations. Juventus coach Fabio Capello could turn to Gianluca Pessotto or Uruguayan Paolo Montero to fill in at right back.
Savio: Brazilian forward Savio has extended his contract with Real Zaragoza for two more seasons, the Primera Liga club said yesterday. "I'm delighted because I was very keen to stay here," said the 31-year-old former Real Madrid player whose original deal was due to end in June. Savio, who began his career with Brazilian club Flamengo in the early 1990s, joined Zaragoza at the start of last season and played a key role in the King's Cup final win over Real Madrid.
Cyprus: Cyprus soccer fixtures have been cancelled in a simmering dispute over financial subsidies between cash-strapped clubs and the government. The Cyprus Football Association (FA) said cup matches scheduled for Wednesday and league games at the weekend had been postponed. Soccer sources said the move was in reaction to the government lowering its 1 million pound ($2.22 million) cash injection to clubs to 800,000 pounds.
Mosley boycott: Formula One teams and carmakers planning their own series from 2008 agreed yesterday to boycott a meeting with the sport's governing body. The nine teams, all except champions Ferrari, and five manufacturers made the decision after a meeting in London and are ploughing ahead with plans for a breakaway championship. International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley had invited all teams to Paris on April 15 to discuss the technical regulations for 2008 in accordance with an existing commercial agreement that expires in 2007.
¤ Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka will be sidelined for the rest of the season because of a persistent hamstring injury. "Mark has suffered a recurrence of his hamstring problem," manager Steve McClaren said. "It is hugely disappointing for Mark and the club but he won't play again this season." The Australian international, who had been out of action since December, returned for the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace last Saturday but his Premier League comeback lasted only 11 minutes. Viduka, 29, joined Middlesbrough from Leeds United for a transfer fee of £4.5 million ($8.45 million) last July.