Birmingham: Hong Kong tycoon Carson Yeung said he wanted to complete his takeover of English Premier League club Birmingham City as soon as possible and bring some Chinese players to St Andrews. "I want to complete the takeover as soon as possible," the 47-year-old said yesterday. "I want to help the club become stronger," he said. "So far we haven't contacted Zheng Zhi but I hope to have one or two Chinese players at the club.
Match-fixing: Former Belarus goalkeeper Valery Shantolosov, charged with trying to fix two of his country's Euro 2004 qualifiers, denied any wrongdoing yesterday. Belarus police have issued an arrest warrant for the 41-year-old after charging him with bribery and attempting to influence the outcome of Belarus' Euro 2004 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Moldova in 2003. "I'm not hiding, I've been back home many times and everyone knows where I work. I think this is just a pure provocation," he said.
China: China has begun the search for a new national team coach after their disappointing Asian Cup campaign. Zhu Guanghu, who presided over China's worst performance at the continental championship since 1980, is still in the post but an official said that his departure was only a matter of time. "We will first send a proposal on recruiting a new coach to the General Administration of Sport, wait for approval and send the resignation to Zhu," the unnamed Chinese Football Association (CFA) official told the paper.
Rothen: France midfielder Jerome Rothen has extended his contract at Paris St Germain until 2011, the Ligue 1 club said. Rothen had been linked with Olympique Lyon but said: "I am very happy ... I always wanted to stay at PSG for the long term."
Young: Middlesbrough have completed the signing of England defender Luke Young, 28, from Charlton. No details of the deal were released.
Sevilla: Sevilla winger Jesus Navas has changed his mind and will join the team's pre-season tour to Chicago, the Primera Liga club said. The 21-year-old suffers from anxiety attacks in extended absences from home and had initially ruled himself out of the trip to the United States.
Diaz: Getafe have signed 28-year-old Argentina defender Daniel Diaz from Boca Juniors, the Primera Liga club said. Spanish media reported the deal was worth 4 million euros ($5.49 million).
Friendlies: Toronto vs Aston Villa 2-4; Dunfermline vs Nottm Forest 2-1; Newcastle vs Celtic 4-1; Dundee United vs Barcelona 0-1.
Frank Dancevic: Frank Dancevic became the first Canadian in six years to reach an ATP Tour quarter-final on Wednesday. Dancevic hit back to beat Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina 3-6 7-6 6-4 in a second-round match at the Indianapolis Championships. The last Canadian to achieve at least a quarter-final berth at an ATP tournament was Sebastian Lareau, who reached the semis of the 2001 Memphis tournament.
Williams and Ivanovic: Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic have become the latest leading players to withdraw from next week's tournament in San Diego. It was the fourth successive pullout for world number eight Williams, who injured her left thumb in the fourth-round victory over Daniela Hantuchova at Wimbledon earlier this month. The fifth ranked Ivanovic is struggling with a left knee injury.