Hoyzer Released: Robert Hoyzer, the referee at the centre of Germany's match-fixing scandal, was released from custody yesterday but remains accused of eight cases of complicity to defraud. Berlin prosecutors said Hoyzer would have to report to police three times a week. He has also given up his passport. Hoyzer was arrested two weeks ago on the basis of evidence suggesting he was involved in match-fixing before the incidents in 2004 he had admitted to. Prosecutors said then the prospect of a hefty jail term meant there was a risk of him absconding. Yesterday, prosecutors said in a statement they had agreed Hoyzer could be released since he had subsequently provided more details of matches under his charge.
Rangers: Rangers manager Alex McLeish expressed sympathy on Friday for the concern of his Kilmarnock opposite number Jim Jefferies at the timing of their re-arranged Scottish Premier League fixture today. The Ayrshire side were furious at being forced to play the league leaders while suffering from a lengthy injury list during a hectic fixture schedule. Kilmarnock were involved in a Scottish Cup fourth round replay with Hearts last Wednesday, which they lost 3-1, and with a full midweek programme next week Jeffries believes Rangers have an unfair advantage. "Every team has a different strategy and there's reasons why they didn't want the game played," McLeish said.
Barthez: Morocco's soccer federation (FRMF) is to report Fabien Barthez to their French counterparts after he allegedly spat at the referee during a friendly between Olympique Marseille and Wydad Casablanca earlier this month. Sport daily L'Equipe quoted FRMF officials as saying they would report the France goalkeeper by Monday. Barthez insulted and then spat at referee Abdella El Achiri, according to the official's match report.
Fans Blamed: Coach Ruud Gullit has blamed some of Feyenoord's own fans for contributing to the team's UEFA Cup defeat against Sporting Lisbon after Thursday's tie was twice halted by crowd trouble. "It was very difficult for me and my players to focus on the match again after the incidents," Gullit said. "When we got in the dressing room after the suspension everyone was very quiet. Today we didn't just lose because we played a better opponent, but also because of a part of our own crowd."
MFA Division Three: Kalkara vs Zejtun 0-1; Sirens vs Mgarr 1-1.