Boca Juniors lifted their 32nd Argentine title on Tuesday after closest challengers Banfield lost 1-0 at San Lorenzo to remain five points behind with only one game of the season left.
Fernando Bellusci scored the winner for San Lorenzo after 56 minutes to end Banfield’s outside hopes of winning the title for a second time in their history.
The Buenos Aires club have 59 points from 28 games, five more than Banfield. San Lorenzo move up to third, equal with River Plate on 52.
The title is the first as Boca coach for the club’s former midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
Bonucci refutes half-time bust-up
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has denied being involved in a half-time bust-up with team-mates during the Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid.
Reports in Italy have suggested the 30-year-old had a spat with Paulo Dybala and Andrea Barzagli during the interval in Cardiff on June 3.
A post on his official Facebook page read: “Nothing that has been written or narrated has truth. There was no dispute, no physical acts involving me or anyone else.
“The interval between the first and second half of the (Champions League) final was an interval like many others where, I repeat, nothing happened.
“These are the only words I have to say about this, and I hope they are the last.”
Bojan has a future at Stoke
Stoke City forward Bojan Krkic could be a key player for the club next season as he returns from loan spell at Mainz 05, the Premier League club’s chief executive Tony Scholes has said.
The 26-year-old left the bet365 Stadium in January in search of regular first-team football but struggled to find form at Mainz, scoring just once in 11 appearances.
“Bojan will return to us on July 1 and who knows? Bojan might be an absolutely key player for us next year,” Scholes said.
“Bojan, on his day, is as good as there is. He was a really important player for us. Perhaps he had his best days prior to his injury.”
Appleton takes Leicester job
Oxford United manager Michael Appleton has left the club to become Craig Shakespeare’s assistant at Leicester City on a three-year contract.
“I am delighted that the club have been able to bring a coach of Michael’s standing to Leicester City,” Shakespeare said.
“Michael and I worked together at West Bromwich Albion and it quickly became clear that he possessed all the qualities and the integrity required to enjoy a successful coaching career.”
During his three-year stint, Appleton led Oxford to an automatic promotion from League Two, and to two Football League Trophy finals, losing on both occasions.
Allen – director of football at Gers
Rangers have appointed Manchester City academy director Mark Allen as their director of football, the Scottish Premiership side announced.
Allen, who has a full UEFA coaching A licence and will begin his new role at Rangers on July 7, will work closely with manager Pedro Caixinha, who was appointed in March following the departure of Mark Warburton.
“I loved every minute of my time with Manchester City ... but the time was right for me to look for a fresh challenge and I am joining one of the world’s truly great football clubs,” Allen said.
Chelsea to profit from Salah deal
Chelsea can expect to profit from a sell-on clause should Liverpool seal an anticipated deal to sign Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah from Italian side Roma, the Times has reported.
Liverpool can expect to pay a club record fee for the 25-year-old, who is due to arrive in Merseyside to undergo a medical this week, according to multiple media reports in Britain and Italy.
Salah joined Roma from Chelsea for £12 million in 2016 after a successful loan spell in Italy and the London club negotiated a sell-on clause in his contract worth 10 per cent of the profit on any future sale.