Salgado: Real Madrid have denied reports they have agreed a deal to loan Spanish international right back Michel Salgado to Juventus during the January transfer window. "Despite the reports that have appeared in the Spanish and Italian media which include alleged declarations from the player about a loan move, we would like to make it clear that he made no such comments and the club is not considering loaning him to another team," Real said in a statement on their website.
Typhoon threat: A deadly typhoon is threatening to force the abandonment of Japan's friendly against Honduras today. The Japan Football Association (JFA) said yesterday they would decide at 10 a.m. local time today whether to call off the game in Miyagi. Typhoon Nabi has already left four dead, 14 missing and more than 50 injured after pummelling southwestern Japan yesterday.
Czech Squad: In a bid to lift their World Cup hopes, the Czech Republic have recalled Sparta Prague playmaker Lukas Zelenka for their World Cup European Zone Group One qualifier against Armenia today. The Czechs, without the services of injured midfielders Tomas Rosicky and Tomas Galasek, lost 2-0 away to Romania on Saturday. Although Galasek (knee injury) is expected to play in today's match, Rosicky (groin injury) is doubtful.
Solano: Peru midfielder Nolberto Solano has blamed the country's football directors for yet another flop in the World Cup qualifying competition. "The directors are to blame for our elimination," said Solano, who missed Saturday's humiliating 4-1 defeat away to Venezuela after falling out with coach Freddy Ternero. "They don't respect long-term projects and they stop backing the coach because of an adverse result," he told the Andina news agency. The Newcastle player also called for the seven-man national team committee, which analyses the performance of the coach and players, to be scrapped.
UEFA U-21 Championship: Finland vs Macedonia 2-0; Kazakhstan vs Greece 1-2; Latvia vs Slovakia 0-0; Russia vs Portugal 0-1; Cyprus vs Switzerland 1-5; Ireland vs France 1-2; Belarus vs Italy 1-1; Poland vs Wales 3-2; Germany vs England 1-1; Azerbaijan vs Austria 0-0.
In England: League Two - Chester vs Grimsby 1-2.
Cricket: England suffered a blow on the eve of the fifth and final Ashes test against Australia when fast bowler Simon Jones was ruled out by injury. Jones hurt his right ankle on the third day of the fourth test at Trent Bridge and failed to recover for The Oval finale, despite undergoing intensive treatment, the English Cricket Board said yesterday. England lead the series 2-1 and need to avoid defeat at The Oval to win the Ashes.
Hockey: Yesterday's results from the European Nations Challenge II - Denmark vs Cyprus 9-0; Malta vs Azerbaijan 0-3. Today - 3 p.m. Azerbaijan vs Cyprus; 5.30 p.m. Malta vs Denmark.