Sporting briefs

Carson: West Bromwich Albion have signed goalkeeper Scott Carson from Liverpool on a four-year deal for an initial £3.25 million, the Premier League club said. Carson, an England international who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa after making nine Liverpool appearances following his move from Leeds in January 2005, is West Brom's seventh signing since gaining promotion last season.

Giuly: Former France forward Ludovic Giuly, 32, is joining Paris St Germain from Roma, the Ligue 1 club said. The former Barcelona player has signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed transfer fee.

Kone: Ivory Coast striker Bakary Kone, 26, will join Olympique Marseille from Nice after the clubs reached an agreement. No details on the transfer were given by Marseille.

Charged: Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his part in a scuffle after United's defeat at Chelsea in April. Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell has also been charged with improper conduct by the FA over the incident which occurred as United's players were warming down on the pitch after the match. Bethell faces a further charge of using abusive language.

Banned for life: The Belarus FA has banned FIFA referee Sergei Shmolik for life after he showed up for a game completely drunk. Shmolik, whose alcohol level exceeded the limit allowed for driving a car in the country by more than nine times, had to be escorted from the pitch by several match officials to the amusement of all the players and spectators.

Rugby: The Super 14 play-offs could increase to six teams from next season after the competition's ruling body agreed to implement a revised format. The South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby unions (SANZAR) board would now forward the proposal to each of the individual union's boards for ratification. Formed when two teams were added for the 2006 season, the Super 14 currently follows a league format with the top four finishers advancing directly to the semi-finals.

Motorcycling: American Colin Edwards has signed a new one-year deal with his Tech3 Yamaha MotoGP team and will continue to partner Britain's James Toseland in 2009. The 34-year-old Texan, a double Superbike world champion, has taken two podium finishes this season.