Zidane: Zinedine Zidane has denied he is considering a return to international soccer to help France qualify for the 2006 World Cup. "I said I was stopping playing for France. You know very well that when I have made a decision, the decision has been made. I'll stick to my decision," the Real Madrid playmaker said. Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European championship with France ended his international career after they were knocked out of Euro 2004.

Russia: St Petersburg politician Vitaly Mutko was overwhelmingly voted president of the Russian Football Union (RFU) yesterday after two of his main rivals dropped out. Mutko, 46, succeeds Vyacheslav Kolo-skov, who resigned in January after more than 25 years in the job, forced out by government officials unhappy at the way he was running Russia's most popular sport.

Juninho: Brazilian midfielder Juninho is to leave Celtic and return to his homeland after a disappointing eight-month spell at the Glasgow club. Manager Martin O'Neill confirmed that the World Cup winner had asked to be released and was set to join Brazilian club Palmeiras. Juninho arrived in August and made his debut against Rangers in a 1-0 win at Ibrox but has started only 13 games since.

Ligue 1: Yesterday's results - Auxerre vs Nantes 2-1; Bordeaux vs Strasbourg 0-2; Lille vs Istres 8-0; Metz vs Toulouse 0-1; Lyon vs Lens 1-0; Sochaux vs Caen 1-0; Rennes vs Bastia 1-0; Nice vs St Etienne 2-0; Ajaccio vs Monaco 3-0. Today - Marseille vs PSG.

Primera Liga: Yesterday's results - Real Sociedad vs Osasuna 2-0; Real Zaragooza vs Valencia 2-2.