Three Bulgarian match officials banned for suspected match-fixing faked their identities to officiate a friendly match between Werder Bremen and AZ Alkmaar last week in Turkey, the referees’ association said.
Lachezar Yonov, stripped of his rights a year ago, presented himself as another referee, Raycho Raychev from the eastern town of Sliven, at the Wednesday game in the Turkish resort of Belek.
His assistants at the game – Emil Mitev and Petar Taralov – also pretended to be other people.
Hull hero reveals suicide attempt
Dean Windass has admitted he recently attempted suicide after battling with depression following the end of his career.
Windass, who fired hometown club Hull into the Premier League with a stunning winner in the 2008 play-off final, ended his playing days last year, aged of 42.
He said: “I have cried every day for the last two years since retiring. Just over a week ago I hit rock-bottom and decided to end it all.
“I first took an overdose and when that didn’t work tried to hang myself. I need to sort myself out which is why I’m speaking out now.”
Ref right to stop match – Enrique
Roma coach Luis Enrique told reporters the referee had taken the right decision to stop the match because of heavy rain in Catania on Saturday.
The game was 1-1 when a waterlogged pitch made play impossible after 65 minutes.
“It’s a shame the weather could not allow us to continue, but it was the right thing to do for the players and the fans,” Enrique said.
“There was the risk of injury and very little chance of seeing any real football in those conditions.”
The remaining 25 minutes will be played at a later date possibly February 1, 8 or 15.
Police probe racist tweets
Strathclyde Police are collating information after complaints were made that two Rangers players were racially abused on Twitter.
Messages were sent to defender Kyle Bartley and midfielder Maurice Edu on the social networking site, leading to both players expressing their sadness at the latest racial incident to occur on the social networking website.
Other players have been subjected to abusive tweets this season, and Bartley, on loan from Arsenal, wrote on his page: “Disappointing that in 2012 things like this are still happening. Hopefully, the police will take action. Thank you all for the support.”
Cannavaro star in India league
Fabio Cannavaro is to step out of retirement and make a comeback in India as part of a new competition aimed at kick-starting football interest in the cricket-obsessed country.
It is only six months since the 38-year-old Italian announced his retirement from the game.
He is to be part of the Indian Premier League, a six-team competition due to be run by the Indian FA and Celebrity Management Group.
Other famous names in-volved include Englishmen Robbie Fowler and John Barnes, France’s Robert Pires, Argentine Hernan Crespo, Spaniard Fernando Morientes and Jay Jay Okocha, of Nigeria.
Injuries concern Mainz’s Tuchel
Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel is concerned by the state of his squad less than a week from their first Bundesliga fixture of 2012 against Bayer Leverkusen.
Mainz were missing eight players through injury as they drew 1-1 in a friendly with third division Offenbach during the weekend.
“We have hit the lowest point in our preparation in terms of physical condition,” Tuchel said.
“Therefore, I have to see things very realistically – that means it was as bad as it looked.”
In addition to the eight absentees, Mainz will also be without Sami Allagui next weekend as he plays for Tunisia in the Africa Cup.
Maicon agent rebuffs rumours
Brazilian full-back Maicon’s agent has dismissed speculation linking the Inter player to a move to big-spending PSG.
The Qatari-backed club have been making transfer waves these past six months and last week, they added former Inter full-back Maxwell from Barce-lona to their squad.
But Maicon will not be joining his compatriot, despite quotes to the contrary attributed to Roberto Calenda in the press.
“I categorically deny the content of the quotes that have been attributed to me, I haven’t given any interviews regarding the subject,” said the agent.
“In any case, we will respect Maicon’s desire to continue playing for Inter.”